Season Summary 2010-11

The Western Reserve Academy golf team was a blue-collar squad that had to work for everything it received in 2010.

All the hard work paid off for the Pioneers when the team captured its third Interstate Preparatory School League Championship in five years. On a cold, rainy day at the Country Club of Hudson, WRA defeated Kiski as Aaron Segal '11 beat Kiski's Jason Pung on the first hole of a playoff to bring the title back to Brick Row.

"Our top two guys (Aaron and Kevin Coquillette '11) never played as well as they wanted to until the league tournament," said coach Lee Blankenship. "They didn't break 40 until the tournament. We were given the absolute worst weather day at the tournament and every one on our team shot a personal best or better that day.

"The season ended well for us. We didn't have a winning record in our dual meets, but we finished as strong as you can."

The team had to also overcome a string of cancellations due to bad weather. After competing against (Akron) Garfield on Sept. 14, the Pioneers had a string of five matches out of six that were cancelled leading up to the league tournament.

"All the cancellations kept us from getting into a rhythm during the season," Blankenship said.

Segal, a co-captain with Coquillette, earned the James O. Tavenner Most Valuable Player award.

"The team could always count on Aaron to post one of the top scores each and every time," Blankenship said. "While he was disappointed in his numbers, it never affected his dedication to the team or the game itself. Shouldering great pressure (at the IPSL Tournament), Aaron played with confidence and determination in defeating the Kiski opponent on the first hole."

Andrew Fazekash '13 was selected as the Most Improved Player in his first year on the varsity squad.

"Although his game still contains some inconsistencies, Andrew has been dedicated to overcoming any problem area," Blankenship said. "His dedication to his improvement extended beyond the regular season as he worked at his game nearly every day throughout the summer. He has taken a major step toward becoming a very competitive varsity golfer that I'm looking forward to working with for the next two years."

Caylie Scherba '11 earned the William F. Borges III Spirit Award.

"Golf is not exactly a rah-rah sport and, in fact, requires a cool, calm and controlled demeanor along with a positive attitude when factors may not be in your favor," Blankenship said. "What would your attitude be if you had to compete head-to-head while you along were handicapped with extra yardage on every hole? Caylie competed under those conditions in every match while maintaining a positive, never-give-in attitude. Caylie is a very talented and determined golfer, with one of the most positive attitudes I've ever come across."

While the team loses two of its three award winners to graduation, Fazekash and Joey Durr '14 will return next season, along with fellow varsity players Taylor Norton '12 and Kevin Hoover '13.

"Joey was a real surprise this year, he was not flashy but he kept plugging along," Blankenship said. "We used his score most of the time and he was a consistent contributor to the team."

Head Coach: Leander Blankenship
Captain: Aaron Segal '11; Kevin Coquillette '11

Athletic Awards - IPSL Champions

James O. Tavenner MVP Awards:  Aaron C. Segal

MIP:  Andrew S. Fazekash

William F. Borges III  Spirit Award:  Caylie A. Scherba