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 Coach:  Mr. Justin Penley

The following article was printed in the  Johnson City Press:

University High's Daxx, Janutolo qualify for state tournament

Jeff Birchfield • Today at 5:50 PM jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com

BEAN STATION — University High didn't meet its team goal at the Small Schools Region 1 golf championships at Clinchview Golf Club, but it was a good day for a pair of individuals.

 
The Bucs finished runner-up for the second straight year, but this time, the margin wasn't close behind South Greene 318-353 in the boys' team standings. The Rebels doubled up with Peyton Humphries with a 4-over 76 beating teammate Hunter Hartman by one stroke for individual medalist.It was a disappointing finish after University High lost by just two strokes to the Rebels the previous year.

However, there was some good news for the UH golf program with Daxx Carr and Mattie Janutolo each qualifying for next week's state tournament as individuals.Carr finished with an 8-over 80, while the other UH boys scores included an 86 for David Daniel, an 87 for Charlie Vargo, a 100 for Matthew Carr and a 102 for Vijay Ananthula."Heading down here, we had the goal to make the state tournament as a team. Unfortunately, that didn't work out for us," University High coach Justin Penley said. "Our guys have played well throughout the season. It just wasn't our day today.

"To have two different student-athletes represent us at the state tournament is very exciting for us. Mattie has been down there a couple of times already and that's impressive and we're proud of her. We're proud of Daxx as well. As a sophomore, we think he has a bright future ahead of him, and this should be a great experience for him."Carr, who was the individual medalist at the district tournament, finished fifth individually in the region. He had some early trouble putting on the greens and adjusting to the course's Bermuda roughs before getting his round turned around."Early on, the greens were rolling slow because it was wet," Carr said. "Then as it (the temperature) started picking up, I was making some strokes back. When the roughs are a half-inch taller than normal, it's going to do a lot with your wedges. It's just a matter of adjusting and making sure your shots get close to the green."Ricky Compton of North Greene and Ty Sauceman of West Greene also qualified as individuals.

GIRLS COMPETITION

Cumberland Gap, led by individual medalist Carley Downhour with a 3-over 75, won the girls' team competition 174-190 over rival Claiborne.

Mattie Janutolo of University High finished second individually with a 7-over 79. She qualified for the state tournament for a third straight year. She felt the way the undulating greens at Clinchview presented the biggest challenge for her."It's a goal I set for myself, although I would have liked to have had the low score, but golf is a crazy game and anything can happen." Janutolo said. "The greens here are very smooth, but the undulation of them can be tricky. I'm happy overall with the way I played and I'm excited to end the season in Manchester."Hampton's team of Jayln Hill, Tala Pierce and Ashley Woodby posted a 235 to finish third in the team standings.Lucy Shockley of Claiborne and Karius Tillman finished with rounds of 94 to qualify as individuals.

Congratulations to our UH Golf Team, District Champs!!!

UH senior Mattie Janutolo carded an 83 Monday at the District 1 Small School District Tournament, winning medalist (low score) honors in the girls division for the third year in a row. Mattie will move on to participate in the Region Tournament next week at Clinchview Golf Club in Bean Station, TN, where she will be looking to return to the State Tournament in Manchester, TN. Great job Mattie!

Daxx Carr fired a 75 Monday at Elizabethton Golf Course to earn medalist honors in the TSSAA District 1A Tournament. With Daxx's score leading the way, University High's golf team captured the tournament win and advances as a team to the region tournament next week at Clinchview Golf Club in Bean Station. Also contributing to the team win was Charlie Vargo, Colin Daniel, Matthew Carter, and Vijay Ananthula. Good luck at regionals Bucs!

The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

University High repeats as district champs
Jeff Birchfield • Sep 24, 2018 at 6:53 PM
jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com

ELIZABETHTON — University High pulled away this time around.

After winning by just a single stroke against Hampton a year ago, the Junior Bucs romped to a 25-stroke victory over the Bulldogs at Monday's Small Schools District 1 Golf Championships at Elizabethton Golf Course.

UH golfers Daxx Carr won the boys' individual medalist with a 3-over 75 and Mattie Janutolo shot an 83 to win the girls' individual title for a third straight year.

Carr had four birdies in his round as well as a difficult 25-foot par putt on hole No. 17.

"Everything went well today," Carr said. "I had some great chips and some nice long putts. My drives were staying in the middle and the course was in great shape, so everything was really good. That putt on 17, that was one of my better putts. I saw the green and lined up the putt perfectly. I putted right where the hole was and it went right in."

Besides Carr's low score, the Bucs got an 84 from Charlie Vargo and a pair of 90s by Vijay Ananthula and Matthew Carter for the team score of 339. Colin Daniel added a 94 which didn't count towards the team total.

"I'm extremely proud of our boys' team and what they were able to accomplish and Mattie who has continued to show such consistency over the past three years," University High coach Justin Penley said. "Daxx was outstanding today, very consistent throughout his round. He has that capability and he proved it. He's strong off the tee. He's worked on his short-iron game and he's good on the green, which he was able to roll in some long putts.

"Whenever you have good kids who see the value of hard work, it's good to see it pay off for them in the end."

Hampton finished runner-up at 364 and Johnson County was third at 421. They were the only teams in the competition with lower than normal participation at the tournament.

Izaak Hill finished with an 83 and Mitchell Tolley posted an 88 as the Bulldogs had the early lead before the Junior Bucs came through with the bottom part of its lineup. The trio of Avery Hill, Matt Hughes and R.J. Tolley rounded out the efforts for Hampton.

Reise Stout led the third-place Longhorns with a score of 92.

GIRLS COMPETITION

University High didn't have a girls team at the competition, although Janutolo's round led to a third straight individual title. Janutolo, who made three birdies, finished 10 strokes better than Karius Tillman of Chuckey-Doak.

"My putting really helped today," Janutolo said. "The greens were in such good condition after all the rain. They were running pretty smooth and pretty quick."

Tillman paired her round of 93 with a 97 score by Madison Painter to give the Lady Knights a 190-233 win over Hampton in the team competition. Unaka finished third at 242.

With the low turnout, every golfer in the district qualified for next Monday's Region 1 tournament at Clinchview Golf Club in Bean Station.

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