ECC girls golf at Lane Tree
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 13, 2011 1:48 PM
Jessie Stewart doesn't like getting too much attention on the golf course.
Especially when Charles B. Aycock head coach Roger Rhodes is lurking somewhere close by on the cart path. Stewart just shoos him away, unless she needs a sip of water.
"She just gets nervous," laughed Rhodes.
Stewart didn't have a bit of jitters Monday afternoon. The senior carded a season-low, nine-hole round of 39 and shared medalist honors with teammate Tara Simmons during an Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference girls' golf meet at Lane Tree Golf Club.
The duo, along with Jordyn Howell, led the Golden Falcons to a decisive 131-167 triumph over South Johnston. Cleveland finished third with a three-player score of 181.
"The most pleasing thing today was seeing Jessie, after a bad match (Thursday), step up her game," said Rhodes. "She contributed today like a senior should. If she continues that all year, we'll see some good things ahead for C.B. Aycock golf.
"She was one happy young-un on that golf course this afternoon. I was tickled for her, too."
Stewart, Simmons, Howell (53) and Madison Aycock (55) all qualified for the inaugural eastern 3-A regional scheduled in October at Birchwood Country Club. A year ago, 3-A schools competed with 1-A and 2-A programs to determine participants for the state tournament.
Simmons, who won the regional crown last season, carried herself well despite struggling on the greens.
"She left seven putts within a foot of the hole, and one was hanging on the edge that should have fallen in, but it didn't," said Rhodes. "One thing we need to work on with all our golfers is consistency."
South Johnston's Rachel Wheeler fired a regional-qualifying round of 53. Teammates Emily Raynor and Tori Tracy completed the Trojans' scoring with marks of 56 and 58, respectively.
Brianna Morgan led Cleveland with a 58.
The Golden Falcons (6-0 overall) entertain Wilson Fike and Wilson Beddingfield today. The 18-hole match begins at 2 p.m.