pvi golf

PVI Golf Team Is Undefeated, All-Met Teams Announced

By David Steinbacher
Special to the HERALD
(From the Issue of 4/12/07)

The Paul VI Catholic High School Golf Team is undefeated heading into the final half of the season. The "Black and Gold," coached by veteran Milt Papke, weighs-in at 7-0 and should be in the "mix" when the tournaments commence in May.
As of the Easter break/spring break, the Panthers have soundly defeated: St. Mary's Ryken, Bishop McNamara and Holy Cross (all by the scores of 9-0). In addition, PVI has knocked off: Bishop O'Connell 6-3 and St. Johns 6 1/2-2 1/2 within the WCAC.
In recent competion versus the Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC), the Panthers have defeated Landon (Montgomery County) 6-3 ("match" play) and have defeated Bullis (Montgomery County) 187-200 ("medal" play — fewest number of total strokes).
"Basically, all of the matches with the exception of McNamara and Holy Cross were fairly competitive. Even the Ryken 9-0 score does not really indicate how competitive Ryken really was," said Coach Papke in his 23rd season at the helm in Fairfax.
PVI's top six players include two seniors, one junior and two sophomores. In addition, the top two "alternates" are also 10th graders. Regarding the Panthers top "duet" — matches comprised of each team playing three duets of two players each — the team captain Pat Hanlon (senior) generally pairs up with Alex Kormanec (sophomore).
“Pat is in his third varsity season. He hits the ball very well and very solid<” Papke said. “He is a good all-around player and a steady player. Alex is a very welcome addition to this year’s team (after playing baseball last year.) Alex plays a very solid game and he pairs well with Pat. It's good to try to get two kids together who work well as a pair."
More often than not, the Panthers second "duet" consists of Jon Pfotenhauer (junior) and Todd McDonald (senior).
"Jon is also third year varsity. He has a very good "short" game,” Papke said. “He also hits the ball solid. He is an enthusiastic player who has put a lot of time into his game. Todd has really developed into a really good player. He has really progressed. He has put a lot of time into his game."
Regarding the Panthers third "duet" of Matt Astorino (sophomore) and Scott Simmons (sophomore), Papke said, "Matt is a very well-rounded player. He has a lot of experience despite being only a sophomore. Last summer, at Springfield Country Club, he won the "Junior Club Championship."
Papke, a former basketball player at University of Minnesota, said Scott Simmons “is a football player who has gotten serious about golf. He has really shown some good improvement."
The Panthers top two alternates are sophomores Michael Summers and Alex Manzo.
After returning from Easter/spring break, the Panthers will face some stiff competition.
"We will be playing at Gonzaga April 16 (Chevy Chase Club). We will be home versus Ireton April 17 (Chantilly Country Club). We will be home versus Georgetown Prep (IAC) April 18 (Country Club of Fairfax) and we will also be home versus St. Stephens/St. Agnes (IAC) April 19 (Country Club of Fairfax).
Following an April 25 match with DeMatha and following a May 1 match with Good Counsel, the Panthers will brace for some serious tournament action.
The two-day WCAC Tournament will take place May 2/May 8.
In addition, the Virginia State Catholic Tournament will take place May 7. (All of the above, weather permitting).
"We are defending Virginia State Catholic Champions (2006) and we finished as WCAC Runners-ups to Gonzaga last season as well," Papke said.
PVI should be a force to reckon with as the 2007 season begins to wind down.
"Not only should we be strong this season, but we should be strong next season as well, as we'll have a transfer coming in as well as some good freshmen," Papke said.

Winter Sports All-Met Teams

Eighteen diocesan student-athletes were recognized by the Washington Post for their winter accomplishments.
Boys Basketball: Bishop O'Connell junior Jason Clark — First-Team All-Met; Notre Dame Academy (Middleburg) junior Andrey Semenov - Second-Team All-Met; Paul VI Catholic junior Ron Burks - Honorable-Mention; Bishop Ireton sophomore Javorn Farrell - Honorable-Mention and Notre Dame Academy senior Dominique Ngniman - Honorable-Mention.
Girls Basketball: Notre Dame Academy senior Ebonie Williams - First-Team All-Met; Notre Dame Academy junior Mia Nickson - Fourth-Team All-Met and Notre Dame Academy junior Azania Stewart - Honorable-Mention.
Wrestling: Paul VI Catholic senior Alex Soltis - Second-Team All-Met and Bishop O'Connell sophomore Nam Dunbar - Honorable-Mention.
Boys Swimming: Bishop Ireton junior "Briggy" Imbriglia - Honorable-Mention and Seton (Manassas) junior Nevin Cook - Honorable-Mention.
Girls Swimming: Paul VI Catholic junior Tana King - Honorable-Mention; Bishop O'Connell junior Maggie Macedonia - Honorable-Mention and Bishop O'Connell junior Caitlin Marsilii - Honorable-Mention.
Ice Hockey: Paul VI Catholic senior Robbie Halpin - Honorable-Mention; Bishop O'Connell senior Sean McLaughlin - Honorable-Mention and Bishop O'Connell junior T.J. Cuneo - Honorable-Mention.