It will be hard to beat Clark Engle this year for News-Sun All-Area Boys Golf Player of the Year, but as always, the area has a nice mix of talent.

Tecumseh will be one of the stronger teams. It returns two All-CBC first team performers: juniors Casey Stafford, who averaged 40 strokes per nine holes, and Cam Wardley (41).

The Arrows also return seniors Brad Rogers (42) and Patrick Snarr (44).

Here’s a look at some of the other top players in the area:

• Cedarville: Senior Jordan Reese tied for seventh at the state meet last season.

• Emmanuel Christian: Junior Nathan Cotter was a second-team All-Metro Buckeye Conference selection and district qualifier.

• Kenton Ridge: Junior Seth Fearn averaged 40 per nine holes and is the top returning player for the defending Division II state champions.

• West Liberty-Salem: Sophomore Nick Sims averaged 38.9 last season and just missed out on a state berth, losing in a playoff at the district meet.

Junior Jacob Rutan averaged 43.4 and was a district qualifier.

• Greenon: Senior Brandon Mamer averaged 38.1 and was an All-CBC first team selection.

On the girls side, Shawnee will be one of the top area teams. It and Greenon were the only area teams to qualify for the district tournament last season.

Shawnee’s No. 1 player, Hannah Myers, returns after finishing 20th in the district.

“I expect some exciting things from her,” Shawnee coach Brad Reid said, “just for the simple fact that she’s played several junior tournaments this summer. That helps build a strong foundation.”

The team lost Kendra Crew, who’s concentrating on swimming this fall, but Taylor Cutright is back. Sophomore Stephanie Brook, a new golfer a year ago, has improved her stroke average by 20 with a lot of hard work over the winter. Freshman Abigail Baldridge will also contribute.

Catholic Central returns four seniors: district qualifier Katie Taylor and Hannah Stover, Theresa Fish and Jordan Lough.

Graham returns two all-CBC selections: Sarah Macy and Lindsey Black.