The season began on happy note on Monday for all three Saint Ignatius golf squads.
The varsity team kicked off the season with a second-place finish at the Jackson Invitational, the JV Gold Cats snagged second at the CVCA Invitational, and the JV Blue Cats took second at the Hudson Invitational.
The fun continues on Tuesday. The varsity and JV Gold squads will host the Saint Ignatius Invitational at Red Tail, while the JV Blue team will head to face Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin at Quail Hollow.
Monday marked the first competition for the Golf Cats under new head coach PJ Myers '99, a former Wildcat star who assumed the role from the recently retired Brian Becker '77. Myers' men could not have started too much better.
The Wildcats combined to shoot a 290, only one stroke from tying a school record. But the Archbishop Hoban Knights managed to squeak by with a winning 288 at Shady Hollow in Massillon. Leading the way was sophomore Topher Reed, determined to keep improving from a strong freshman campaign. Reed tied for medalist honors, losing in a chipping playoff. A wonderful start to the season for Reed.
Andrew Kaye opened the year with a nice card of 73. The senior captain tied with Nick Piesen, an uber-talented freshman. Through six holes, Piesen sat at 4 over par. But then Piesen caught fire, rolling to a 73 overall, tying Kaye's mark. Not bad at all for his first varsity match with the Wildcats.
Ross Williamson and Nick Longano showcased strong scores at No. 4 and No. 5. The veterans each carded a 76, a great showing for the first contest of the season. Connor Warns brought up the rear, tallying a 79 for the Wildcats.
Meanwhile, the JV Gold squad competed in the Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) Invitational, a varsity tournament. The Wildcats certainly played like a varsity team, earning a team score of 322 to finish second amongst 17 teams at Silver Lake Country Club.
Junior Andrew Martin led the way for the club with a 78. Freshman Connor Malicki matched the feat, also shooting a 78. Liam Doyle carded an 81 on the day for a good start to his junior campaign. Sophomore MJ Myers began the year with an 85, while sophomore JR Leedy tallied an 88.
"Finishing second shows how good and deep the program is," Myers said. "We may move guys up and down this year because we have a phenomenal group of sophomores and freshmen who are contributing to the program."
The JV Blue experienced a similarly excellent day on the course. The men of Tom Bogen fired to a team total of 328 at the Hudson Invitational, finishing second only to University School (319).
John Thompson lighted the way with an exceptional start to his Wildcat career. The freshman penciled in a 79 at the end of the day, a wonderful score for a youngster starting out on JV Blue. Michael Van Etten came in second on the squad, marking an 83. Michael O'Leary and Domenic Pilla each tabbed scores of 85 for the blue and gold. Connor Keefe finished not far behind with an 86. Freshman Ethan Hughes rounded out the bunch with an 88 on the day.
Be sure to follow @SIHSSports for updates throughout the day on Tuesday from Red Tail and Quail Hollow.