The boys golf finals are set for Friday and Saturday, with several individuals from the Metro Detroit area competing across the four divisions.
Here are 10 individuals from Metro Detroit area schools to watch as the tournaments begin.
Division 1
Julian Sinishtaj, junior, Warren De La Salle
Sinishtaj has cemented himself as one of the state’s best, following up a third-place finish at last season’s state final with four individual wins this season. He qualified for the state final as an individual with a two-under 69 at regionals and will be in contention for medalist honors at the state final.
Ben Vento, freshman, Rochester Adams
Vento has provided a boost to an experienced Adams lineup that finished runner-up last season, leading the program to a title in Region 4 with a score of 71. The freshman has the team’s lowest scoring average this season and will be critical to its title hopes at Katke.
Jonah Sterling, sophomore, Berkley
Sterling’s incredible display powered Berkley to a runner-up finish in Region 6, carding seven birdies and an eagle on his way to a six-under round of 65 to take first by three strokes. Sterling will be an individual to watch in the program’s first state final appearance.
Division 2
Parker Westcott, sophomore, Chelsea
Westcott led Chelsea to its second consecutive regional title, taking second individually with a 74. In the team’s trip to the Meadows earlier this season, Westcott shot a one-under 70 to finish runner-up again. He looks to repeat that success at the same course this weekend.
Brayden Siders, junior, Carleton Airport
Carleton Airport has reached new heights this season behind Siders. He led the program to its first ever Huron League title and his play at regionals narrowly secured the third and final qualifying spot in Region 12 with a team-best sixth place finish individually.
Jona Zimbalatti, freshman, Trenton
Zimbalatti made it through a pressure filled playoff at regionals to qualify for the state final as an individual. He showed mental toughness beyond his years, steadying himself after going 6-over through his first four holes. He will gain more valuable experience at The Meadows.
Division 3
Keating Holland, junior, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Holland was the catalyst to Greenhills’s dominant display at regionals, claiming medalist honors by eight strokes with a one-under round of 71. After finishing 11th individually at last season’s state final, he looks to move even higher up the leaderboard at Bedford Valley.
Nicholas Joly-Naso, senior, Grosse Ile
Joly-Naso was a big contributor to last season’s team that finished sixth at the state final and has stepped up even more this season. Joly-Naso has four individual wins and led Grosse Ile to a runner-up finish in Region 18, shooting a 75 despite a quadruple bogey.
Division 4
Dominic Walker, senior, Clarkston Everest Collegiate
Walker posted his best result of the season at regionals, finishing second in Region 24 to qualify for the state final as an individual. He hopes to use championship experience to his benefit this weekend after helping the program win its third consecutive title last season.
Caden Whitbeck, senior, Royal Oak Shrine
Whitbeck is making his second consecutive appearance at the state final as an individual, with his 72 taking fourth at regionals. A hot start was key, with Whitbeck making the turn at two-under par. He looks to start strong again this weekend and break into the top 10.
Nathan Korp is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Ten Metro Detroit boys high school golfers to watch at state finals
Reporting by Nathan Korp, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Nathan Korp, Special to The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
