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Womens golf team prepares for state tournament Jenny Gerhart This season marks the fourth and last time womens golf coach John Blevins will take his team to The Ohio State University golf course to compete in the state tournament. Blevins said the team has had a very successful season and is ranked first in the Ohio Capital Conference, but the end of the season will be a bittersweet occasion. "I've been teaching for 30 years, and I could not have asked for anything better to end my career," Blevins said. "I knew I was going to retire for a while, and this season has just made it that much easier for me to say goodbye." Senior Christine Haver said she will miss Blevins' coaching and leadership once the season is over. "He has done all he can to prepare us for states," she said. "Working with six girls can be a challenge." This year there was increased competition among the team, Blevins said. Only six spots are available on the varsity A team, with eight capable girls. "We've never had such strong players before," he said. "We had girls going back between the A and B team. That may have been great for the golf team as a whole, but also a bit of a stressor for the girls." Injuries challenged the team as well. For example, senior co-captain Kristen Mautz sustained a wrist injury during the 2001-02 season that prevented her from playing. "It was really tough," she said, "but it showed me how much golf means to me." Blevins said he told Mautz to be patient. "She has played very well this year, and I am very proud of her." The team will play for the last time this season Oct. 18 and 19 on OSU's Gray golf course, where they will have a chance to defend their state title. |