By Gabriel Ouzounian
Review Co-Editor
For the second year in a row the Dragons of the links have fallen just short of qualifying for the state finals.
Orion playing in the regional tournament on June 7 and finished fourth – just two strokes behind Midland Dow, but the loss did not detract from Head Coach Monty Gallaher’s belief that his 2012 team was probably one of the best teams he’s ever had.
‘We just didn’t play up to our expectations on regional day,? he said ‘Overall the season was a success though. Our best tourney by far was at districts and it may have just been a bit too much pressure or too much expecting to win on home turf.?
Though the team didn’t qualify for state finals, they did qualify, as a team, for all state all academic, meaning every member had a 3.75 or higher GPA. Senior Captain Tyler Dragoo in particular scored a 34 on the ACT with a 3.95 GPA.
Dragoo also garnered praise from Gallaher for his season performance.
‘He’s a four year varsity player, he played in over 50 varsity tournaments and that grade is just phenomenal,? said Gallaher. ‘That’s what I preach all the time – you have to do the work and be committed to the team but it takes a lot of time to do both school and golf. I just commend him up and down for what he was able to do. He was able to lead the way I would expect him too and he really took some of our younger players under his wing.?
Gallaher gives his players rewards at the end of the year – most valuable, coaches award and sportsmanship. Juniors Mason Gorris and Alex Waelchli earned most valuable as both led the team with an average score of 77.6 while Mason won two tournaments. Sophomore Griffin Beeler was likely the most improved according to Gallaher and got the sportsmanship award. Dragoo got the coach’s award by exemplifying scholer aestheticism.
‘Another player to look out for is (sophomore) Ben Grocyca and Junior Casey VanDerGraff played in the regional and did ok,? said Gallaher. ‘Both of those guys just need a little tournament experience under they’re belt and they will help out next year for sure. We wanted to go to states this year to get experience and next year is going to be even better as far as raw talent. I really believe we’ll be head and shoulders the best in the OAA.
‘We’ve been climbing this mountain for the last couple years and I think we’re seeing the top of it now.?
Gorris and Waelchli will likely earn OAA Red All League status.