Sena takes 11th at state tourney

Sena takes 11th at state tourney

October 4, 2001

STAFF REPORT

ELIZABETH — Shea Sena, only a sophomore at Montezuma-Cortez High School, certainly made his first appearance at the Class 4A Golf Championships a memorable one. He finished 11th overall in the individual standings after playing 36 holes at the Spring Valley Golf Course.

Sena fired a 3-over-par 75 the first round on Monday, Oct. 1. He came back and shot a 74 on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

Mullen’s David Jackson defeated Trevor Owens of Alexander Dawson on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the individual title. After making a birdie on the par-5 18th hole to force the playoff, Jackson made another birdie on the par-5 ninth (the second playoff hole) after hitting the green with an over-the-water. He then snaked a long 50-foot putt within 18 inches for still a knee-knocker. He made the putt and won. Owens couldn’t reach the green with his second shot and missed a birdie putt.

Jackson and Owens entered the second round in a four-way tie for the lead. By the time they reached the back nine, though, it was a two-man race. Both finished 36 holes with matching rounds of 72-70.

Jackson's final-round 70 also helped Mullen capture the team title with a total of 446, seven shots better than runner-up Skyline. Cheyenne Mountain came in third with 456, Lewis-Palmer had 457, Pueblo County 461, Pueblo Centennial 463, and Fort Morgan 464.

Jeff Franks of Steamboat Springs, Luke Antonelli of Rifle, who was second to Owens last year, and Cheyenne Mountain freshman Tom Glissmeyer tied for third at 145. They were followed by Nick Marino of Mountain View with a 146, Andrew Hendrick of Pueblo West 147, Patrick Baxter of Kent-Denver 147, David Costel of Colorado Springs Christian 147, and Trevor Hile of Lewis-Palmer 148 with Sena starting the second 10.

It took a playoff at last week’s Class 4A Regionals for Sena to qualify as an individual for the tournament.

Sena, who lost in a playoff last year to just miss out on a state berth, sank his knee-knocker putt to earn the final spot at Tiara Rado in Grand Junction.

Sena won four 4A division tournaments including two overall at Gunnison and Cortez (4A and 5A players competing) during the regular season.

Sena almost lived at the golf course this past summer. He worked there and played nearly every day. His hard work paid off.

Sena is a good student with a 3.75 grade point average. Currently he’s taking world history, biology, body building, and speech.

He is the son of Melinda and Dante Sena. His brother, Devin, is a senior who plays running back and linebacker for the MCHS football team.

Randy (Jack) Jacobson is already talking about next year.

"Next year we should be greatly improved. We will have Keenan who will be returning as a senior, Alex Stroud coming back as a senior. Sena, Michael Stroud, Casey Richey, Jamie Eads returning as juniors, and several others who show a lot of promise," he said.

Jacobson said he wanted to again thank the golf staff at Conquistador Golf Course for their support and help for the past season. He wanted to thank Jack Click for aided me with the team and went on the trips. And he said he wanted to thank the parents and all the people who made contributions to the golf team, financial and otherwise.