Boys golf: Cloverleaf finishes second to Streetsboro after MAC tournament

AKRON — The Cloverleaf boys golf was halfway to its destination of standings leapfrog Thursday. The Colts were seeking to jump Streetsboro and Springfield to claim at least a share of their first league title since 2021 at the Metro Athletic Conference Tournament. After finishing third in the regular season, Cloverleaf (361) needed to beat Springfield (385) and Streetsboro (354) at J. E. Good Park Golf Course. Only the former happened. After winning the regular season with a 13-1 record and grabbing the conference tournament, the Rockets secured the season championship. On Wednesday, Streetsboro edged the Colts 178-180 to prevent a three-way tie with Springfield in the regular season. "Second place kind of hurts," Cloverleaf junior Zane Schreck said. "I know as a team we could have played better. We have played better. Next year, I hope we come in kicking butt." Schreck was one of six underclassmen in Cloverleaf's lineup, while the Rockets will graduate three of their tournament players. Schreck finished fourth individually with a 14-over-par 85. Norton's Braden Gunter was medalist with a 77. Cloverleaf already was turning the page to the Pine Hills Division II Sectional on Monday, when the Colts must finish in the top three of 15 teams to extend their season to the Windmill Lakes District. "I think we're going to put in some practice over the weekend," said sophomore Reilly Maloney, who was eighth with an 89. "Hopefully we can come back at sectionals playing like we should and as a team we can group together to hopefully get top three, which we know we can." Following Schreck and Maloney were freshman Landon Huth (93) and junior Austin Sustersic (94). The Colts struggled on the final hole, as they were 11 over on the 441-yard 18th. Schreck was in second going into the final hole, where he carded a triple bogey. It was the last of his four holes over bogey. "I'm just disappointed because I could have played better," he said. "A couple of holes I struggled with. Chipping was the problem today. I just couldn't chip." Schreck's round was highlighted by a birdie on the 523-yard, par-5 No. 14. After a great drive, he hit a 6-iron onto the green to give himself an eagle putt that he put close. The birdie was part of a six-hole stretch on the back in which he was 1 over going into the final hole. "My driver and my putting really stayed strong all day," said Schreck, who had eight pars. "I couldn't have really played (No. 14) any better. I could have made eagle, but it's not always about the eagle putt. It's about getting that second putt in." Maloney also birdied No. 14, his last of three birdies. His first came on the 472-yard, par-5 second, and he also birdied the 422-yard 11th. The birdie on No. 14 kicked off a four-hole stretch in which he was 1 under before a double bogey ended his round. "The front nine I started playing pretty good and then I think I got in my head and it all fell apart," said Maloney, who was 14 over at the turn. "Going into the back nine, I told myself it was a whole new round of golf. "On the last hole, I've never shot 39 (for 9 holes) in a match or tournament, and I put too much stress on myself and ended up shooting a 40." Huth finished on a strong note, parring three of the last five holes. Sustersic's lone par came on the first hole. He also birdied the 365-yard No. 16. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com. MAC Tournament at par-71 J. E. Good Park G.C. Tournament standings: 1. Streetsboro 354, 2. Cloverleaf 361, 3. Norton 362, 4. Coventry 368, 5. Field 376, 6 Springfield 385, 7. Woodridge 401. Season standings: 1. Streetsboro 20, 2. Cloverleaf 17, 3. Springfield 14, 4. Norton 12, 5. Coventry 10, 6. Field 7, 7. Woodridge 3, 8. Ravenna 0. Cloverleaf (361) — Zane Schreck 85, Reilly Maloney 89, Landon Huth 93, Austin Sustersic 94, Logan Jenkins 95, Gavin Jenkins 96.