Firestone set to field co-ed golf team

Firestone High School athletic director Brian Fuller confirmed Friday that the Falcons will not have a girls golf team.

“I got a call from our coach [Scott Westphal] and he told me the numbers were down and we would not be able to field a team,” Fuller said. “He told me they only had one returning golfer [junior Brooke Morgan] with a decent amount of experience, and then some new players.”

Fuller and Falcons boys golf coach Dave Milo both said Morgan and any other girls player are eligible to try out for the boys team on Monday at 12:10 p.m. at J.E. Good Park Golf Course. The top eight players make the team.

“I think Brooke is good enough to make the team,” Milo said. “I have three very good golfers; juniors Patrick Schultz, Philip Martin and senior Jon Bozeka and some good players behind them.

“I have never seen her play, but judging by what everyone tells me she is a pretty good player. She could be our No. 5.”

The Firestone boys team won the City Series championship last season, defeating perennial favorite Ellet. Martin earned the individual medalist honor last year.

Morgan is trying to keep the Falcons girls team going. She posted this comment on her facebook account: “Just found out that there's not gonna be a girls golf team this year. It's ridiculous because everyone should get a chance to play the sport they love. Playing on the boys team won't be the same as being in my own conference for the past two years. Hopefully I can get the team back together somehow.”

Girls competing with boys in golf is not uncommon in the City Series. Milo said East and North had co-ed teams last year. Buchtel and Central-Hower also fielded co-ed teams in the past.

Morgan was a two-time All-Greater Akron Girls Golf League selection, earning a first-team nod as a sophomore and a second-team spot as a freshman. She was Firestone's lowest scorer in both seasons.