Golf team places 8th at state
From left, Isaac Mori, Zach Brahler, Todd Brahler, Jaden Schlabach and Brendan Lehman hold “big heads” made for them before they board the school bus to head to the state golf tournament.
With their eyes on the state title, the Bulldogs varsity golf team boarded the school bus Oct. 13 headed to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Div. III tournament in Columbus. At the community sendoff, Dalton golf coach Jeff Feller noted one of the keys to this season’s success has been the experience of this year’s team.
Seniors Todd Brahler, Brendan Lehman and Jaden Schlabach returned to the state competition for the second year in a row. The trio also each had golfed throughout their high school careers. That extra experience might have catapulted them into finishing in the Top 10 at this year’s state competition.
Zach Brahler and Isaac Mori, sophomore and freshman respectively, have now gained valuable experience and will be able to build on it. Feller said he has “high hopes” for Mori and Zach Brahler next year.
Not only was the golf team undefeated this season and named Wayne County Athletic League champs – last year they placed second in the league – but they won the district title and improved upon last year’s 11th place finish at state and finished in eighth place.
Lehman finished 15th overall as an individual.
“It was a great and fun season,” senior Todd Brahler wrote in an email. “It made my senior season extra special to win the WCAL and Districts and go to State for the 2nd year in a row. Our goal this year was to get back to State and we were able to accomplish it. I was proud to be a part of this team.”
Last season was the first time Dalton’s golf team had made it to the state level in more than 25 years.