Negaunee Miners avoid raindrops to sweep Mid-Peninsula Conference boys, girls golf titles
CHAMPION — The conditions weren’t ideal Thursday at the Mid-Peninsula Conference golf meet as the humidity was heavy and rain would periodically pummel the greens at Wawonowin Country Club.
However, even with their clothes drenched and their shoes soaked, the Negaunee boys and girls teams fought their way through it and emerged as M-PC champions. The Miner boys finished on top with 178 and Jordan Mason was medalist with 38.
“This is the first time where the boys and girls have won a big tournament like this since I’ve been coaching,” Negaunee head coach Dustin Hongisto said. “The girls were pumped and kind of pleasantly surprised.
“The boys were excited as well. Jordan of course, was great. He’s a steady player and he’s peaking at the right time. He doesn’t get flustered out there.”
Mason has had a solid junior year and he credited the hard work he’s put in over the course of the season.
“I’ve been playing a lot and getting a lot of practice in,” he said. “I’ve been striking the ball really well and putting better than I usually do, so that’s helped a lot. With my drives, I’ve been playing it safe and keeping the ball in play and limiting penalty strokes.”
The Westwood boys took second place, five strokes behind the Miners. Trent Sweeney led the Patriots with a 41, while Cam Mason and Dylan Junak both shot 46. Iron Mountain took third place with 185 and was led by Ricky Brown’s 43. The Mountaineers were followed by Gladstone with 212 and Manistique with 226.
In the girls meet, the Miners took the top spot with 234 as Brylea Ranta led the way with 55 and Rylee Ring followed with 57. Manistique’s Abbi Popour was medalist after shooting 50.
Westwood finished in second with 241 and was led by Olivia Kierzek’s 53. Iron Mountain took third with 245, getting a solid day from Miranda Julian, who shot 56. Manistique finished fourth overall with 247 and Gladstone took fifth with 279.
Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal. net.