CHARDON–Chagrin Falls kicked off the 2018 season in dominating fashion by winning the 2018 Chagrin Valley Conference preseason tournament at St. Denis Golf Course on Monday.

The Tigers placed three golfers among the top five and six in the top 12 to beat second place Independence by 15 strokes, 391-406. Orange was third with 446 strokes.

“I am so happy for the team and feel today’s victory is a nice validation of their hard work and dedication,” said Chagrin Falls coach Kristin Reboul. “I’m also hoping we capitalize on this momentum as we enter our regular season matches.”

Chagrin Falls junior Maggie Mills won medalist honors with a 92. She edged Independence junior Emma McGreal and Orange senior Emma Brisken, who both finished tied for second with a 93.

“Maggie has incredible work ethic and is a true student of the game,” Reboul said. “Her solid ball striking and accurate iron shots lent well to the difficulty and length of the course. Our team is incredibly proud of Maggie and we believe this is just the beginning of a terrific season for her.”

Providing depth for the Tigers were senior Piper Magyaros and junior Katie Kwasny, who finished in fourth and fifth place, respectively, with a 96 and a 97. Junior Emma Bartlett finished eighth for the Tigers with a 106 while junior Hanne Wilson and sophomore Chloe Steger tied for 11th with a 110.

Independence, the defending Division II state champions and winners of the previous four CVC pre-season tournaments, had three golfers finish among the top seven.

McGreal came within one stroke of tying for medalist honors while sophomores Morgan Pascarella and Allie Ksiazka finished sixth and seventh, respectively, with a 98 and a 102.

“We knew going into this season it was going to be a process as we’re learning how to golf,” said Independence coach Karl Schuld. “The advantage Chagrin Falls has over us right now is most of those girls have golfed at the varsity level and in competitions before. My top three golfers have only had a couple of varsity matches. They’re learning and we have to develop our depth. Chagrin, I think, has better depth than us at this point.”

Senior Hannah Botzman finished 14th with a 113 and sophomore Reese Vilcheck came in with a 125 to close out the scoring for the Blue Devils.

“Overall, I’m pleased with my kids,” Schuld said. “We’re a young team and they’re trying to establish their own identity. Emma fought all the way to the bitter end for first place. She’s been solid in both tournaments. Morgan had a couple tough holes that cost her. Allie really scrapped today and I’m really pleased with Hannah Botzman, who dropped her score by several strokes. She really came out with a good attitude. We just need to do a little better. We’re a shot or two here or a shot or two there from being right there with Chagrin Falls. I’m not sure if we can catch them this year but we’re sure going to try.”

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Team Scores:

1. Chagrin Falls 391
2. Independence 406
3. Orange 446
4. Geneva 454
5. Hawken 478
6. Perry 522
7. Cuyahoga Heights 539
8. West Geauga (did not score)

Top 20 Individuals:

1. Maggie Mills (CF) 92
2. Emma McGreal (IND) 93
2. Emma Brisken (ORA) 93
4. Piper Magyaros (CF) 96
5. Katie Kwasny (CF) 97
6. Morgan Pascarella (IND) 98
7. Allie Ksiazka (IND) 102
8. Emma Bartlett (CF) 106
9. Madison Lindberg (GEN) 107
10. Erin Slotta (HAW) 109
11. Hanne Wilson (CF) 110
11. Chloe Stegar (CF) 110
13. Noelle Laisure (ORA) 112
14. Hannah Botzman (IND) 113
15. Nia Gribbons (GEN) 114
16. Kara Hutchinson (GEN) 115
17. Audra Lininger (GEN) 118
18. Katie Hamrle (HAW) 119
19. Jesseca Hudson-Turpin (ORA) 120
19. Mascey Ciarlillo (PER) 120