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Xenia girls make history, finish undefeated

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XENIA — Not sure how to handle being interviewed, Olivia Wagner found three perfect words to describe what she and her Xenia golf teammates had just accomplished.

“That’s pretty sweet,” the Xenia High School senior said while overlooking the ninth green at WGC Golf Course Thursday.

“That” includes setting a school record for wins in a season (13), being the first team to go undefeated (13-0), and likely cementing a spot in the athletic hall of fame (eligible in five years).

Brynna Mardis shot a 35, Wagner 37, Darby Nolen 44, and Grace Bond 49 as the Bucs beat Stebbins, 165-288, and less-than-ideal scoring conditions to give the Bucs back-t0-back Miami Valley League Valley Division championships and the school’s first outright girls golf title.

Xenia failed to break 200 just once — on the tricky Cassel Hills course in Vandalia — and had only one other round over 189, while breaking 180 six times.

Yeah.

That’s pretty good.

“It’s been exciting,” said Nolen, one of four seniors on the team. “That’s always our goal. Win all. We couldn’t have done it without our coach. We played pretty strong as a team this year. Never been on a team that felt more like a family.”

Senior Eliana Berryman, who shot 64 as the fifth golfer, echoed that sentiment.

“I love golfing with them,” she said. “It’s definitely a great team. I’m very sad this my senior year.”

While playing in a final regular-season match is always bittersweet, Bond had the perfect perspective.

“Obviously given corona (coronavirus), we were super excited we were able to have a season to begin with,” she said. “It helps having such a great group of girls. Definitely more than a team.”

After going 12-5 last year and sneaking up on the rest of the league, Xenia was one of the favorites this season.

And the Bucs still beat everyone.

Coach Kent Anderson stressed that while addressing the team before departing for a celebratory dinner — socially distant of course.

“To do what you did was so hard,” he told them.

Over the last two seasons, the Bucs set 10 school records and won 25 matches.

“They went out and performed,” Anderson said. “It’s just been a lot of fun.”

The fun continues next week with the sectional tournament at Yankee Trace in Centerville.

Photos by Scott Halasz | Greene County News The Xenia girls golf team posted a 13-0 record, the most wins in school history. Left to right are Stacie Baxley, Darby Nolen, Grace Bond, Olivia Wagner, Brynna Mardis, Eliana Berryman, and Coach Kent Anderson.
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/10/web1_IMG_2686-1.jpgPhotos by Scott Halasz | Greene County News The Xenia girls golf team posted a 13-0 record, the most wins in school history. Left to right are Stacie Baxley, Darby Nolen, Grace Bond, Olivia Wagner, Brynna Mardis, Eliana Berryman, and Coach Kent Anderson.

Grace Bond keeps her head down after firing a shot at the green against Stebbins at WGC Thursday.
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/10/web1_DSC_0038-1.jpgGrace Bond keeps her head down after firing a shot at the green against Stebbins at WGC Thursday.

Olivia Wagner chips one to the green.
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/10/web1_DSC_0063-1.jpgOlivia Wagner chips one to the green.

Darby Nolen watches as a putt rolls toward the hole.
https://www.xeniagazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/10/web1_DSC_0046-1.jpgDarby Nolen watches as a putt rolls toward the hole.

By Scott Halasz

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Contact Scott Halasz at 937-502-4507.