Blackman's Owens headlines All-Area Golf Team
MURFREESBORO – Blackman's Tanner Owens finished in the top 10 in the TSSAA Class AAA state golf tournament for the second straight season.
Owens leads The DNJ's 2014 All-Area Golf Team. The three-year state qualifier was the District 7-AAA and Region 4-AAA champion.
He is joined on the boys first team by Smyrna's Josh Chalfant, Oakland's Austin Pfeifer, Riverdale's Cole Clear and Central Magnet's Jordan Reynolds.
Like Owens, Chalfant (Class AAA) and Reynolds (Class A/AA) also reached the TSSAA state tournament.
On the girls side, the first team is comprised of a trio of Class AAA state qualifiers in Blackman's Cailyn Johnston, Siegel's Melissa Kiker and Riverdale's Reagan Kinnie.
The DNJ's 2014 Golf Coach of the year is Stewarts Creek first-year coach Holly Bush. Bush led Stewarts Creek to its first boys golf state tournament appearance in the program's second season.
Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager
BOYS GOLF FIRST TEAM
Josh Chalfant
Smyrna, Sr.
Why chosen: The Bulldogs' top golfer was the Region 4-AAA runner-up. He tied for 40th at the TSSAA Class AAA state tournament. He averaged 71.3 per 18 holes.
Cole Clear
Riverdale, Sr.
Why chosen: The Warriors' top golfer finished second in the District 7-AAA tournament. He averaged 73.6 per 18 holes.
Tanner Owens
Blackman, Jr.
Why chosen: The Virginia Tech commitment finished tied for ninth in the TSSAA Class AAA state tournament. He was the District 7-AAA and Region 4-AAA champion and averaged 70.3 per 18 holes.
Austin Pfeifer
Oakland, Sr.
Why chosen: The Patriots' top golfer finished third in the District 7-AAA tournament. He averaged 72.7 per 18 holes.
Jordan Reynolds
Central Magnet, Jr.
Why chosen: The Tigers' top golfer tied for 40th at the TSSAA Class A/AA state tournament qualifier. He averaged 75 per 18 holes this season.
SECOND TEAM
Shelden Barina, Stewarts Creek, Fr.
Tate Chumley, Oakland, So.
Kyle Clary, Siegel, Sr.
Colton Miller, Central Magnet, Sr.
Reid Zingale, Siegel, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Blackman: Jacob Bunch
Cannon Co.: Briar Jakes
Eagleville: Dakota Beech
La Vergne: Jordan Dye
MTCS: Ian Harper
Oakland: Adam Dyke
Riverdale: Chase Clear
Siegel: Cameron Stone
Stewarts Creek: Trae Balmer
GIRLS GOLF FIRST TEAM
Cailyn Johnston
Blackman, Sr.
Why chosen: The Lady Blaze's top golfer finished tied for 43rd at the TSSAA Class AAA state tournament. She averaged 84.3 per 18 holes.
Melissa Kiker
Siegel, Sr.
Why chosen: The Lady Stars' top golfer finished tied for 21st at the TSSAA Class AAA state tournament. She was the District 7-AAA runner-up and averaged 77.2 per 18 holes.
Reagan Kinnie
Riverdale, Jr.
Why chosen: The Lady Warriors' top golfer finished tied for 17th at the TSSAA Class AAA state tournament. She was the District 7-AAA champion and averaged 76.7 per 18 holes.
SECOND TEAM
Jessie Eaton, Oakland, So.
Lexi Marshall, Central Magnet, Sr.
Gayla Reed, Blackman Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Eagleville: Kenya Hackney
Oakland: Claire Hamblen
Riverdale: Alexis Meyer
Siegel: Nicole Chandler
Stewarts Creek: Kaylee Cooper
COACH OF THE YEAR
Holly Bush, Stewarts Creek
Why chosen: Bush led the Stewarts Creek boys golf team to the TSSAA Class AAA state tournament in the program's second season. The Red Hawks, who struggled during the season, peaked at the right time, beating District 7-AAA champion Oakland for the first time all season in the Region 4-AAA tournament. The state tournament berth came in Bush's first season as Stewarts Creek coach.