Comebacks will be necessary for Division II-AA state golf championship trophies to travel from Manchester to Chattanooga.
Baylor holds second place in both the boys’ and girls’ competitions, which wrap up today at Willowbrook Golf Course. The Red Raiders are one off the lead set by Briarcrest Christian, and the Lady Raiders are six back of St. Agnes.
Baylor’s Katherine Holmes shot a 78 during Monday’s first round of the Division II-AA state golf tournament at Willowbrook Golf Course in Manchester.Girls Preparatory School is in third place, and McCallie is sixth in the boys’ tournament.
“I like the position of chasing somebody that’s never been chased, and see how we can handle it and how they can handle it,” Baylor coach Gary Partrick said of the boys’ competition. “Let’s get it to the back and see if we can make some putts. It’s two veteran teams.”
The St. Agnes Lady Stars are at even-par 144 with Abby Heck shooting a 1-under 71 for the individual lead.
Baylor’s Elina Saska is second in the medalist race at 72, and senior teammate Katherine Holmes added a 78. The Bruisers are 16 strokes off the pace. Mary Melissa Manuel shot a 79 and McKenzie Frizzell carded an 81.
“They played about how I expected them to play,” GPS/McCallie director of golf Rob Riddle said. “We had a couple holes on our back nine where we kind of gave up a few shots. I’m still very happy with how they played.”
The Briarcrest boys are at 297 with Baylor at 298 at Father Ryan at 303. Baylor’s Chase Roswall is tied for second individually after a 71, and senior Oliver Simonsen is fifth at 72. Matt McKenney and Sam Marshall shot 77 and 78 for the Raiders.
“With an hour to go we were as many as eight back,” Partrick said. “It’s still wide open because we’ve seen what other teams can do.”
Ensworth’s Brock Ochsenreiter, playing as an individual, leads the medalist race at 6-under 66. McCallie senior Evan Spence is tied for eighth after a 74, and Matthew McBrayer is tied for 10th at 75.
“I told them, ‘I’m disappointed for you, I’m not mad at you, or three of you have only 18 more holes of high school golf,'” Riddle said. “They’re better than that, but it didn’t show today.”
Irish win region
Notre Dame won a team playoff over Macon County in the Region 4-A/AA tournament Monday at Fall Creek Falls.
Notre Dame senior Zach Riddle earned medalist honors with a 69 and birdied the playoff hole, giving the Irish a 1-under score that easily beat Macon County’s 3 over.
“It’s fun to go to state as a team,” Irish coach Jeff Fisher said. “It’s going to be tough competition up there.”
Signal Mountain won the girls’ competition again with senior Bethany Burns earning the medal with an 82 and Taylor Gardner finishing runner-up with an 84.
“The girls did what they do,” Lady Eagles coach Rodney Mitchell said. “They were just steady all day.”
Signal Mountain’s Jacob Bailey earned a spot in the boys’ state tournament, to be held next Tuesday and Wednesday, after shooting a 73 and finishing runner-up to Riddle.
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.