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Damian Dottore. Sports. HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LONG BEACH – Servite boys golf coach Dane Jako cares more about winning championship rings than extending winning streaks.

So he wasn’t particularly upset that the Friars’ run of consecutive victories ended at 30 after Long Beach Wilson edged Servite, 374-375, on Tuesday here at Recreation Park Golf Course.

Sometimes, he said, tough losses, such as this one, can go a long way in building a champion.

“I think this is a good barometer of where we are right now,” Jako said. “Did we play horrible? No. That score has won here before.”

All six Friars in the starting lineup, posted a score in the 70s, led by Blake Hale, who medaled with an even-par 72. Jack Rahon and Joey Torii each added a 2-over-par 74 for Servite (10-1).

It has been an up-and-down week for the Friars. They tied for 11th in the Champions Invitational in Indio, a tournament they have won four times, on Saturday. On Monday, they won the Herald Invitational at Candlewood Country Club in Whitter. Two days later, they lost for the first time since April 23, 2014.

“We just can’t get everyone playing well on the same days,” Jako said. “I watched us three putt from a foot on No. 9. You can’t do that and beat a team like this.”

Jako considers the Bruins among the teams to beat during the CIF Tournament season, and what makes this result even more humbling for Servite is Long Beach Wilson was missing its best player, Hunter Epson. He came down with a case of pink eye in the morning. Yet, the highest score that the Bruins had to keep was a 75. Servite worst result among its five scoring players was a 78.

 Andrew Fernandes led the Bruins (11-1) with a 73 while Tyler Allen added a 74.

Jako thinks the Friars inconsistency might come down to the grueling schedule he has set up for them. Servite has played five 18-hole rounds in six days – high school matches are usually nine holes. And on Thursday, the Friars have one more match to get through, one with Trinity League rival Santa Margarita at Coto de Caza Country Club.

“May this wasn’t the best time for me to schedule this match (with Wilson),” Jako said. “But they are just going to have to man up.”