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Depew golfers hope to duplicate last year's magnificent season
Things are definitely looking up for the Depew golf team heading into this season. For one, it's coming off a 2006 campaign in which it completed its first-ever undefeated season. For two, it didn't graduate a single core starter.
Rick Wargala returns to coach a Wildcats squad that, on paper, could dominate other Erie County Interscholastic Conference teams. In 2006, Depew went 8-0 in the ECIC Small School North Division, as seventh grader Andrew Romano advanced to the Section VI championships following a sensational season.
In addition to Romano, who is now an eighth grader, the Wildcats return senior co-captains Tom Walter, who qualified for sectionals two years ago, and Brandon Guay, who along with Walter barely missed qualifying for sectionals in 2006. Junior Tom Romano, a three-year veteran of the squad, rounds out Depew's top four spots.
Andrew Romano, an up-and-coming star, took first place in this summer's Buffalo District Golf Association Match Play Tournament, his first major title.
Wargala said the eighth grader has potential for greatness.
"He should have an outstanding season," the Wildcats coach said. "He's a very good young golfer."
Other starters in Depew's lineup figure to be sophomores Tyler Carter and Jake Cole, as well as freshman Ricky Coburn. Carter and Cole finished No. 1 and 2 in this summer's Diamond Hawk Golf Course Junior Program.
Newcomers who could see occasional time on the golf course include junior Ryan Driscoll, described by Wargala as having a "tremendous swing and great potential," as well as sophomores Mike Szymanski, Mike Fusani, Joey Fayad and Brian Sager. Seniors John Leistner and Matt Behringer round out Depew's roster.
Wargala said his team's goal is to remain undefeated in ECIC. The Small School North Division also includes Maryvale, John F. Kennedy, Starpoint, Alden and Tonawanda.
"We had a tremendous season a year ago and we absolutely want to duplicate it this year."
Depew opens its season on September 10 at Diamond Hawk against the Flyers at 4:30 p.m. The Wildcats' home matches will be played at Lancaster Country Club.
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