2nd TEAM ALL COUNTY GOLF

from Cecil County Sports Weekly Vol 2 Issue 45

1st TEAM ALL COUNTY GOLF

Andrew Kidd locks up a second straight season with All-County honors with his scoring average of 45.9.

Kidd’s season was a little different from last year. Despite opening the season with a 40 at Exton, the rest of his matches he struggled, with 5 scores at 48 or above. With that being said, Kidd stepped up big time in championship play, where he led the team by 30 strokes in the three events combined. A 93 at Districts, a co-medalist 44 at Divisionals, and a fourth place-finish 84 at Counties is more in line with the scoring we expected from him. A little more consistency in matches and Kidd is first team easily.

The most improved golfer from last year to this year is heads and shoulders

Jake Eckman, dropping 10 strokes off his 9-hole average from last year and becoming an anchor for the Tiger squad. Jake is the ONLY golfer other than Noah Wallace and Karina Serio to have both multiple rounds in the 30s and no matches with rounds in the 50s. Jake really turned on the jets after a rough showing at Districts, turning in a career round of 39 at the course he grew up on (Chesapeake Bay GC) and an even better 38 at Exton. Jake’s average of 46.0 was a brilliant capstone on a hard earned high school career.

The third member of North East’s budding “Big 3”, Brandon Kristovich showcased massive improvements this year, powered by a much-needed swing change and more competitive reps. Kristovich was three rounds in the 50s from being in the first team conversation. The rest of his rounds were pretty solid, with multiple 43s and a career competitive best 41 on a day where Noah shot 34 and Wyatt shot 39 – showcasing just how lethal this trio will be next year in what will likely be North East’s best shot at a title.

Lucas Umbarger is a new name to the All-County list, and one that is well deserved. The senior averaged 47.0 on the season, and was low on the team in scoring average on regular season match play. His season was highlighted by back-to-back 41s at Furnace Bay and Back Creek. Umbarger’s season was the inverse of his teammate Andrew Kidd’s however, and his average score of 45 in the matches was offset by his average score of 50 per 9 in the championships. Nevertheless, the Panther senior made huge strides this year and earned his all-county honors with his solid play!

The third Perryville Panther on the list, and the 7th junior of the exceptionally talented class of 2024 was comfortably in the mix for first team all-county for most of the year. Through 5 matches, the youngest Eldreth brother maintained a phenomenal 43 average – and at September 27th he was ranked third in the county. Unfortunately, Jared fell into a little bit of a slump at the end of the season and averaged 49 the rest of the way to a final average of 47.2. Jared’s true skill level is that of the beginning of the year and look for him to post a massive senior season – he will finish the job next year!

Lucas Kilgore - Rising Sun Tigers Seth Grimes - North East Indians

While the freshman rivalry between Wyatt Cudmore and Lucas Kilgore ended in a draw at 43.5, Lucas’ eye-opening performance at the County Championships gives him the edge for this award. Lucas Kilgore is a gamer – I’ve never seen a 13-year-old kid who prefers playing golf when there is something on the line. He’s already a prodigy on the pool table, and now he’s taking that high-rolling attitude to the course. But don’t mistake that for being a gunslinger – Lucas knows when to fold them and take his medicine when he’s in trouble. Kilgore is a raw talent with great golf IQ who loves the game of golf, this will be a dangerous engine to his future as he continues to sharpen up his fundamentals.

Let us preface this award by saying that the student-athletes of Cecil County are blessed to have such great coaches across the board. In my experience with Seth Grimes and Tim Kerns, both coaches go above and beyond to give their golfers the abilities to improve, and either one of those coaches could win this award every year. Seth gets the edge this year in particular for his impact on Cecil County Golf outside of the high school season. Seth worked part time at Chesapeake Bay Golf Club and was the primary assistant coach of Cecil County’s first ever PGA Junior League, in which there was a 13U and 17U team. Seth not only worked with the North East kids on the team, but even the Rising Sun and Perryville golfers as well. There’s nobody who wants to see Cecil County Golf as a whole improve more than Seth Grimes, and his efforts to help make ALL kids from ALL schools better certainly puts him over the top.

Senior John Ferry emerged this year as Cecil County’s top male runner. Jhn finished in the top 7 of nine races this year with three 1st place finishes in 5,000 meter events.