It was a full-circle moment for Brighton golf coach James Dewling.
He was a senior on the last Brighton team to win a regional championship in 2008. He then coached the team that ended that drought Tuesday, May 27 at Washtenaw Country Club in Ypsilanti.
The Bulldogs shot 297 to win by 16 strokes over Ann Arbor Pioneer.
“For me as a coach, it means a lot,” Dewling said. “It means we’ve kind of returned. It’s nice to see, being part of another one at Brighton, because they’re hard to come by. They’re extremely emotional days because they don’t come often.”
Brighton qualified for the state Division 1 tournament for the fourth time in five seasons. The Bulldogs were second at regionals in 2021 and 2023 and third in 2022.
“We came close a couple years ago, but then Cole Lamberger at Hartland shot 31 on the back nine at Dunham Hills at Hartland to take the trophy from us,” Dewling said.
The championship came one year after crushing disappointment at regionals for the Bulldogs. A team that finished third at the state finals the previous two seasons failed to qualify, missing a state berth by one stroke.
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Three of the players in Brighton’s lineup Tuesday were on last year’s regional squad.
“It’s an emotional day to see us on the other side this year after the heartbreaker last year for the entire program,” Dewling said.
All five Brighton golfers shot 77 or lower. Sophomore Grady Bissett and senior Jacob Daavettila were part of a three-way tie for second place with 73s, one shot behind Ann Arbor Huron senior Adam Thanaporn.
Jackson Frelich was sixth out of 91 golfers with a 75, Brandon Lovejoy eighth with a 76 and Adam Forcier ninth with a 77.
“When all five guys shoot under 80, it’s hard in any type of high school situation not to advantage or be one of the better teams that day,” Dewling said. “It’s nice they could all line it up on regional championship day.”
Track and field
Larry Steeb Memorial
Pinckney senior Madison Cooke set a school record in the 200-meter dash, placing third in 25.37 seconds. She broke the mark of 25.82 set by CeCe Thorington at regionals two years ago. Cooke was also third in the 100 in 12.51.
Howell’s Emma Kanka won discus with a throw of 129 feet, 11 inches and was third in shot put at 39-9.5. Pinckney’s Mya Karolak was second and Brighton’s Kaydence Hoolsema fourth in high jump, both clearing 5-2.
In the boys meet, Brighton’s Luke Bellino won the 400 in 48.79 and Hartland’s Roman Ignagni won shot put at 51-9.5. Pinckney’s Sam Burtts was third in the 110 hurdles in 14.98 and Brighton’s Sam Meriweather was third in long jump at 20-6.25.
Greater Lansing Honor Roll Meet
Fowlerville junior Landon Aeschliman had the highest pole vault in Livingston County this season, placing fourth by clearing 13-6.
Boys lacrosse
Hartland 15, Clarkston 5
Hartland won its eighth consecutive regional championship with an impressive victory over a Clarkston team that had a 16-2 record and a three-year run of regional titles.
Clayton Penzien had six goals and one assist and Drew Schaecher three goals and one assist to lead Hartland’s attack.
Braden Streight forced six turnovers, Max Kotsilidis forced five and Kellen Hull was 17-for-22 on faceoffs.
The Eagles will face Grand Ledge or Holt in the state quarterfinals at 5 p.m. Friday, May 30 at Parker Middle School in Howell.
Girls soccer
Hartland 4, Walled Lake Northern 1
Freshman Brinley Neuer scored twice for Hartland (15-4-1), which set up a district championship matchup against second-ranked and unbeaten Bloomfield Hills (15-0-2). The teams will meet at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at Hartland.
Addie Frantti had a goal and one assist, while freshman Emma Abbott had a goal for Hartland.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Tuesday’s top performers: Brighton wins first boys golf regional since coach was player
Reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
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