Tallmadgeexpress.com - Ladies golf program reflects on breakthrough campaign

by Devan Matthews

Correspondent

The Tallmadge girls golf team passed out a pair of new awards at the Blue Lady Devils' annual banquet Nov. 11.

Those two awards were the Senior Leadership Award and the Lady Blue Devil Golfer of the Year.

Leah Sibbio received the first award for her contributions to the program, not only during the 2008 season, but also during her entire scholastic career.

"We've had Leah [on the varsity team] for four years, and it has been amazing to watch her grow every year," Tallmadge head coach Mark Horner said. "This was her best year yet. We didn't have an actual team captain this season, but the girls regarded her as their captain. She's also outspoken in a respectful manner and was an advocate for the girls when it came to situations on the golf course."

According to Horner, Sibbio's leadership extended beyond the golf course. As an example, she recently earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh.

"She's also a member of Leaders in Action and a member of the National Honor Society," Horner said. "She's worked very hard, both in the classroom and on the course. All of her classes are advanced-placement classes."

Griffin, meanwhile, is a sophomore. She led the Lady Blue Devils in a number of statistical categories during the 2008 season.

"She had the lowest scoring average for nine-hole matches, the lowest putting average and the most fairways hit," Horner said. "She also led the team in scoring. We used her score in every match, and she was honorable-mention All-Suburban League. It was a well-deserved award."

Three Tallmadge players received the third letter of their scholastic careers at the banquet. Those three were juniors Maddie Ingersoll, Jordan Gaither and Rosie Murphy.

All the seniors on the squad also received a senior plaque. One of them, Kelly Cadman, boasted the second-lowest scoring average on the team.

"Kelly had the best round of her career at sectionals with a 95," Horner said. "We're going to miss her leadership and her playing ability. In the No. 5 spot, she often came in with scores determining that we won a match."

Tallmadge has some talented players waiting in the wings for next season, as well. They include freshman Jenna Diforio and sophomore Taylor Gershom, who both participated on the junior varsity squad.

"Jenna had never played golf before this year and she was shooting in the 60s by the end of the season," Horner said. "If Taylor continues to play, she'll be one of the longest hitters in the area. They're going to be key pieces of our team next year."

Horner also lauded his volunteer assistant coach, Jeff Locke, for the hard work and dedication he displayed during the season.

"Jeff has been a phenomenal help," Horner said. "He knows the golf swing inside and out. He's helped me to grow tremendously as a coach and he'll be volunteering again next year."

Horner indicated that any girl interested in playing golf next season should see him at the high school or send him an e-mail at horner.mark@tallmadge.k12.oh.us.

"What speaks so highly of these girls is that they've gone through the bad times, when they finished last in the league," Horner said. "It would have been easy for them to quit, but they didn't. They worked hard and they were very dedicated."

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