By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
The Joplin High School boys golf team has just one senior among its four returning lettermen.
But Eagle coach Jack Pace believes there is a good chance they will continue to improve and become stronger than recent squads.
More competition is the reason, Pace said Friday.
“We believe we have seven players who’ll compete weekly for varsity,” Pace said.
Pace isn’t saying, however, that senior Jeff Black and junior Matt Ditto will be easy to dislodge at the top.
“Black (the Eagles’ only senior) and Ditto are striving for No. 1 with Ditto playing No. 1 in our opening match,” Pace said.
The Eagles will play host to Carthage and Webb City in a triangular at 3:30 p.m. on Monday at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.
Completing the lettermen are junior Brendan Weeks and sophomore Stewart Pence.
Pace and volunteer assistant Kris Garrett, his son-in-law, have been working with a squad of 11.
Rounding out the squad are juniors Cooper Craig, Austin Jones and Brice Saunders; sophomore Chris Moss and freshmen Lucas Garritson, Jeffrey Herr and Drew Vice.
Craig, Pence and Moss currently round out a top five, Pace said.
Pace believes Glendale is the favorite in the Ozark Conference. Glendale won at Rivercut last season with 313 strokes to 326 for Kickapoo. Joplin, with Ditto shooting an 82, placed fifth among 10 teams.
But Ozark bested Glendale by four strokes for Class 4 District 6 honors at Fremont Hills. Joplin placed eighth in the event and didn’t advance anyone to state.
Notes: Joplin will hold its annual invitational on April 2 at Twin Hills. Glendale won’t return to defend its title. Other tournaments during the regular season include Neosho (March 28), Miami at Peoria Ridge (March 30), Cassville (April 6), Springfield (April 13), Ozark Conference at Rivercut (April 20), Carthage Sonic (April 22), Bird-Dog at Briarbrook (April 24) and Missouri State Relays (April 30). ... Pace, a graduate of Picher High School and Missouri Southern, is in his third season as head coach, but it’s his second stint at the helm.
Sports
March 22, 2009
Jeff Black lone senior, but Eagles expect strong golf team
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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