All-Daily Record 23-24: Hiland's Jack Mast earns Player of the Year

It was another strong season on the links for area golfers in 2023.

Hiland returned to the OHSAA Division III Championships after a year hiatus, placing fourth overall, while both West Holmes' Trey Baker and Orrville's Abby Ankenman made their respective state debuts to cap off their prep careers.

Combine that with a thrilling finish in the Wayne County Athletic League that saw Waynedale earn another county title by one point over Smithville, and it was quite a year.

Player of the Year: Jack Mast, Hiland

In just his second prep season, Mast played in a big role in guiding the Hawks to another top-five state finish. The sophomore was one of the most consistent players in the area and put together an impressive postseason en route to earning first-team All-Ohio honors.

Mast finished tied-for-fifth individually at the Division III State Championships, paced by an impressive final day that helped the Hawks place fourth overall. The performance capped off a final month that also included Mast finished among the tying for third at River Greens District and tying for fourth at the Cambridge Sectional, along with earning first-team All-Inter Valley Conference accolades. He also posted the best nine-hole average (38.5) in the area.

Coach of the Year: Austin Kaufman, Hiland

This year's version of the Hawks was a perfect example of the old adage that tradition doesn't graduate. On the heels of missing the Division III State Championships for the first time in six seasons.

With one senior and a host of underclassman, Hiland went on to place fourth at the D-III State Championships, along with winning both the Cambridge Sectional and River Greens District, the latter coming thanks to fifth-score tiebreaker earning the lone state team berth.

Led by All-Ohioan Mast, along with Andrew Beun, Camden Bille and Monty Coblentz earned the Inter Valley Conference title by one point over Garaway after winning the league's preseason tournament, going 12-1 in the regular season and finishing runner-up on a tiebreaker at the IVC postseason event.

THE ALL-DAILY RECORD TEAM

Trey Baker, West Holmes, sr.

Thanks to a playoff hole victory, Baker earned the lone state berth up for grabs to break a three-way tie for medalist honors at the EagleSticks D-II District. Baker, who tied for runner-up at the River Greens Sectional, went on to tie for 25th individually in his debut at the D-II state championships.

Camden Bille, Hiland, jr.

One of just two upperclassmen on the Hawks roster, Bille emerged as a leader in posting the team's second-best score at the D-III State Championships in tying for 28th individually. Bille's play was huge in team advancing the state as he medalist at the Cambridge Sectional, tied for third at the River Greens District and was a first-team All-IVC selection.

Jordan Miller, Waynedale, so.

Finished season with the area's best 18-hole average (77.4) and played a key role in helping Golden Bears capture overall Wayne County Athletic League title. Earned medalist honors at WCAL postseason event by three shots with a 72 at Riceland and finished second in the final points standings, earning first-team all-league accolades. Just missed district berth after losing four-player playoff.

Gavin Von Almen, Smithville, jr.

Led Smithies to district team appearance after capturing medalist honors at The Elms D-II Sectional by two strokes. The upperclassman also was fifth individually at the WCAL postseason event and had the team's top score at the Windmill Lakes District, tying for 23rd. Finished season with strong a 78.0 average for 18 holes and a 39.4 for nine.

Tyler Snyder, Triway, sr.

Capped off an impressive prep career with first-team All-District and All-PAC honors. Snyder finished second overall in the final league standings, just missing Player of the Year honors to Manchester's Drew Mothersbaugh and had strong averages of 39.6 for nine holes and 79.0 for 18. Snyder lost a four-player playoff at the Elms D-II Sectional, just missing a district berth.

Evan Back, Tuslaw, sr.

Thanks to tying for third overall at the Bunker Hill D-III District, helped the Mustangs to a district appearance as a team. Back also was a first-team All-PAC — finishing fifth in the final standings — and first-team All-Stark County and was among area leaders in both nine-hole (39.4) and 18-hole (79.3) averages.

Hunter Pertee, Smithville, sr.

Was among area leaders all season long for both nine holes (39.8) and 18 (79.0) for a Smithies team that advanced to the D-II District and was runner-up in the WCAL. Finished second overall at the WCAL postseason event at Riceland, missing medalist honors by three shots, along with a ninth-place finish at The Elms D-II Sectional.

Bryon Bickel, Hillsdale, sr.

Bickel's steady play throughout the regular season helped the veteran earn Player of the Year honors in the Wayne County Athletic League. The lowest point total among conference individuals, along with tying for third individually at the league's postseason event, helped him earn the honor. Bickel also was one of nine individuals in the area to have a nine-hole average below 40.

Abby Ankenman, Orrville, sr.

With her first career state berth already wrapped up, Ankenman's competitiveness showed as she needed just one playoff hole to outlast United's Mati Zines for the Good Park D-II District title. The second team All-District pick went on to tie for 25th at state with a two-day score of 175. Ankenman also was The Pines Sectional medalist by five shots and was one of the Red Riders top golfers on the boys squad.

Kenzie Woods, West Holmes, sr.

Woods dominated her way to three impressive victories en route to earning Player of the Year honors in the Ohio Cardinal Conference. After dominating victories in the first two league events, Woods posted a gritty three-shot victory in the final match to seal top honors. She also earned a district appearance after tying for sixth at the Carroll Meadows D-II Sectional.

Jack Mast, Hiland, so.

On a team full of consistent player, Mast churned out quality round after quality round, limiting mistakes and posting low scores. His consistency and performance when it mattered most were big reasons why Hiland was able to put together another season to remember as a team, setting the Hawks up for big things going forward as well.

HONORABLE MENTION

Judah Layton, Loudonville

Luke Walton, Northwestern

Andrew Smith, Tuslaw

Dylan Braswell, Chippewa

Zach Brahler, Dalton

Gavin Ferguson, Norwayne

Ian Snode, Wooster

Owen Ward, Smithville

Monty Coblentz, Hiland

Mason Shutt, Smithville

Andrew Beun, Hiland

Hank Miller, Waynedale

Thad Weaver, Dalton

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: All-Daily Record 23-24: Hiland's Jack Mast earns Player of the Year