After all, the team lost three key players -- Sam Maier, Peter Dornisch and Zach Tugaoen -- to graduation. The three had helped the Jaguars place seventh in the Division III state tournament last season.

But it turned out the Jaguars were even better.

Wellington shot a 684 at state last Friday and Saturday at Ohio State's Scarlet Course to finish fifth behind champion Minster (654) as well as Lima Central Catholic (671), Strasburg-Franklin (671) and Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (674). Rounding out the teams were Cincinnati Seven Hills (694), Sugarcreek Garaway (706), Stryker (708), Sidney Lehman Catholic (709), Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic (712), Columbus Academy (717) and Lowellville (759).

The Jaguars shot a 336 in the first round and 348 in the second round.

Taylor tied for 15th with a 24-over-par 168 and his brother, freshman Jon Taylor, tied for 18th (169). Also participating were King (tied for 32nd, 174), junior Jon Miller (tied for 36th, 175) and freshman Nick Mayne (tied for 45th, 179).

"Josh and I thought we had a chance to get back to the state tournament, but we weren't sure how good we were going to be with two freshmen on the team," King said. "They were good players in middle school, but the courses are longer at the high school level. As the year progressed, they proved they could handle it."

"The newcomers rose up and surprised everyone," coach Craig Mosier said. "We're all pretty pleased with what we accomplished."

Wellington finished second (354) behind champion Ready (350) at the sectional Sept. 29 at Darby Creek and then shot a 318 to win the district Oct. 6 at Cumberland Trails.

At district, Josh Taylor shot a 76 to place fourth, with King (78), Jon Taylor (81), Miller (83) and Mayne (83) all turning in solid rounds.

Mosier said his team faces another rebuilding task next season with the graduation of King and Josh Taylor. Expected to return are Miller, Mayne and Jon Taylor.

"Chris and Josh were freshmen when I came on as an assistant," Mosier said. "It's going to be tough to lose two guys who were great players and great leaders."

•Nisha Crouser of the girls tennis team saw her prep career come to an end at the Division II district tournament last Friday and Saturday at CSG.

The senior lost to Hilliard Bradley's Lauren Thai 6-2, 6-1 in a semifinal.

"They played a lot of good points, but in the end, she didn't win enough of them," coach Klint McEnery said. "To work as hard as she did and not make it (to state) is disappointing."

Crouser was a two-time state qualifier, losing in the first round as a freshman and losing to Ravenna's Mariah Mostardi 6-3, 6-3 in a quarterfinal last year.

Sejal Crouser and Rashma Sharoff also failed to advance to state, losing to Columbus Academy's Sri Kundur and Parul Reddy 6-1, 6-1 in the first round.

The Jaguars, who finished 9-7 overall after losing to Academy 4-1 in a OTCA team tournament district final on Oct. 13, lose five seniors in Nisha Crouser, Sharoff, Phoebe Bealle, Jacquelyn Pfeiffer and Maren Rundell. Key returnees include juniors Sitara Koneru, Allison Smith, and Catie Gross, sophomore Sejal Crouser and freshman Meleah Moore.

"This was a great group of girls," McEnery said. "They were a very easy going group and a great combination of personalities."

•The girls soccer team enters the Division II district tournament with a losing record for the first time since 2003.

Wellington, which was 6-8-2 overall after tying Columbus School for Girls at 1 on Oct. 15, faced Madison Christian in the first round last Monday. The winner played Columbus Academy in the second round last Wednesday, with the winner of the second-round game playing host to Jonathan Alder or London in the third round on Saturday.

If Wellington advances to a district semifinal, it would play host to Fisher Catholic, Liberty Union, Ready, Tree of Life or Worthington Christian on Wednesday.

"We've played a lot of the top teams in the district and kept it close," said coach Billy Thompson, whose team has lost in a district semifinal each of the last two seasons. "We've told the girls that this is a new season. We're focused on doing things differently and putting it all together."

Wellington has lost four one-goal games, falling to Academy 2-1 on Sept. 8, Worthington Christian 1-0 on Sept. 24, Ready 3-2 on Sept. 26 and Hartley 3-2 on Oct. 14.

•The boys soccer team opens the Division III district tournament in the second round Saturday at home against Madison Plains or Village Academy.

The winner advances to a district semifinal, where it plays Wednesday at Grandview, Gilead Christian or Ready.

Wellington was 6-6-2 overall after playing Village Academy to a scoreless tie Oct. 15. The Jaguars

"We have a lot of momentum and we're going to start game planning on how we should attack and defend each opponent," coach Brian Galvin said.

Wellington coach Craig Mosier (left) talks with Chris King last Friday before King teed off on No. 8 at OSU's Scarlet Course. King shot a two-day total of 174.

Jon Taylor shot a 169, second-best for the Jaguars.

At a glance

Below are the recent results and coming schedules for Wellington boys golf, boys soccer, girls soccer and girls tennis teams:

BOYS GOLF

Last Friday-Saturday -- Finished fifth (684) behind champion Minster (654) at Division III state tournament at Ohio State's Scarlet Course.

BOYS SOCCER

Oct. 13 -- Lost to Jonathan Alder 2-1. Gabe Pedicelli scored.

Oct. 15 -- Tied Village Academy at 0

Saturday -- Home vs. Village Academy or Madison Plains in second round of Division III district tournament. Winner plays in a district semifinal Wednesday at Grandview, Mount Gilead Christian or Ready.

Of note: The Jaguars are 6-6-3 overall.

GIRLS SOCCER

Oct. 14 -- Lost to Hartley 3-2. Dara Love scored twice.

Oct. 15 -- Tied Columbus School for Girls at 1

Last Monday -- Def. Madison Christian 9-1 in first round of Division II district tournament.

Last Wednesday -- Played Columbus Academy in second round last of the district tournament. The winner advances to the third round Saturday at Jonathan Alder or London. The third-round winner plays host to Fisher Catholic, Liberty Union, Ready, Tree of Life or Worthington Christian in a district semifinal Wednesday.

Of note: The Jaguars were 5-8-2 overall before last Wednesday.

GIRLS TENNIS

Oct. 13 -- Lost to Columbus Academy 4-1 in the OTCA Division II team district final.

Last Friday-Saturday -- At Division II district tournament at Columbus School for Girls. Crouser lost in a semifinal and the doubles team of Sejal Crouser and Rashma Sharoff lost in first round. The top two finishers advanced to state.

Of note: The Jaguars finished 9-7 overall.