FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 2011: Spartan golfers expect a strong return to form this season

Sumner High School's boys golf team has retained all of its players this year, losing none to graduation. That's good news, because six of them were league titleists in the 2010 season. Seniors Brandon Barlow and Austin Spanier placed in the top 20 in state competition. Juniors Kai Taylor and Tom Murphy also made it to the state tournament, and Juniors Carson Dunham and Joe Bethards made districts.

Sumner High School’s boys golf team has retained all of its players this year, losing none to graduation.

That’s good news, because six of them were league titleists in the 2010 season. Seniors Brandon Barlow and Austin Spanier placed in the top 20 in state competition. Juniors Kai Taylor and Tom Murphy also made it to the state tournament, and Juniors Carson Dunham and Joe Bethards made districts.

“Coming off a sixth-place finish at state and returning all varsity boys, they are high (in spirits),” coach Casey Adcox said. He said team goals start with defending our league title but include a top-three state finish.

Promising newcomers are freshmen Johnny Staley and Riley Bruil.

The girls team graduated five players last year: Rebecca Turcotte, Natalie Mohn, Karleigh Warner, Taylor Friermuth and Taylor Henken.

Junior Olivia Durham will be the team’s strong returning player this year, Adcox said. Durham made the South Puget Sound League 3A tournament as a sophomore.

Juniors Rachel Fox and Skylar Runions, and sophomores Madison Henken, Samantha Walsh and Tianna Munroe, are the newcomers to watch this season.

Adcox is joined this year by co-coach Shane Patrick. He was an assistant to Adcox last season.

The teams will play Bonney Lake High today in nonleague play. League play kicks off at 3:15 p.m. Thursday versus Clover Park High at Meadowpark Golf Club. Look online for scores.