Eastern Wayne's Reeves triumphs in playoff

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 21, 2009 1:50 PM

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It was a day four years in the making.

And one Jasmine Reeves won't soon forget.

In her last meet on her home course, the Eastern Wayne senior claimed the N.C. High School Athletic Association Classes 1-A/2-A/3-A eastern regional individual championship. Those three consecutive top-10 finishes turned into distant memories on the sunsplashed Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course links.

Despite frigid conditions and a rough first two holes, Reeves was able to keep her game together and card an 18-hole total of 77. The 5-over par round was good enough to earn a tie with Topsail's Kathryn Rand.

Reeves carded a par and seized medalist honors on the first playoff hole, while Rand bogeyed.

"It seemed like forever that we had to wait before we could play the final hole," said Reeves. "We both had been finished for an hour and a half before we had to go back out for the playoff. But I guess it worked out in my favor."

As the players gathered around the scoreboard for the post-match awards ceremony, Eastern Wayne head coach Scott Waller finally experienced a long-awaited moment.

"It's really great to finally say this name," said a smiling Waller. "I could not be prouder of Jasmine or what she has accomplished."

Joining Reeves at next week's state tournament will be Aycock golfers Tara Simmons (83) and Lauren Larison (93). Simmons ended up fifth overall, while Larison placed seventh.

"I am so pleased with the effort that these girls have given all season," said C.B. Aycock head coach Roger Rhodes. "I am really looking forward to seeing what we can do next week."

Topsail fired a three-player total of 263 to win the team crown. Pittsboro Northwood (275), Southern Lee (290) and perennial power Wilson Fike (299) will take teams to the two-day, 36-hole state finals.

Aycock missed team qualifying by six strokes.

Kristen Cuddington (Beddingfield), Christi Mileski (Princeton) and Kelly Mansfield (West Carteret) qualified for the state tournament in individual play.