Sunbury -- All went according to plan for Gilmour Academy on the first day of the Division III state boys golf tournament Friday at NorthStar Golf Resort. With four of their top five players back from the team that finished fourth at state a year ago, the Lancers came in expecting to contend for the championship.
Andrews
Sunbury -- All went according to plan for Gilmour Academy on the first day of the Division III state boys golf tournament Friday at NorthStar Golf Resort.
With four of their top five players back from the team that finished fourth at state a year ago, the Lancers came in expecting to contend for the championship.
They're well on their way to doing so after turning in a 316 that leaves them in first place heading into today's final round.
The only other team to break 330 was Toledo Ottawa Hills, which is second with a 324.
"Coming into the weekend, we knew we had three seniors and after getting fourth place last year we felt like this year was our year to shine," senior Matt Oliver said.
Gilmour Academy senior Alex Andrews, who is the defending champion, shot 37 on the front nine and 35 on the back to card a 72 that leaves him in first place individually.
Sophomore Andrew Bieber is on pace to make second-team all-state after turning in a 79 that leaves him tied for seventh with Connor Dudley of Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic. Also competing for the Lancers are Oliver (82), senior Greg Calabrese (83) and junior Duncan DeFino (88). Only Bieber didn't compete at state for Gilmour Academy a year ago.
Andrews is followed in the field by Sugarcreek Garaway's Ryan Troy and Centerburg's Garrison Myles, who each are at 73, and Ottawa Hills' Ethan Haigh and Minster's Craig Purpus, who each are at 76.
"I felt like I could have played a lot better, but it was solid," Andrews said. "I had a lot of birdie opportunities. I think I only missed two greens, and I got an eagle on 12, which was a real momentum builder. After that eagle, I was feeling pretty good."
Also at the Division III state tournament is Lake Ridge Academy, which shot 356 on Friday and is 11th.
Senior Spencer Scheeler shot 84, followed by senior Nick Nemetz (87), juniors Thomas Tavolara (92) and Mitchell Rice (93) and freshman Ryan McCarthy (95).
Trinity junior Jimmy Wild became his school's first golfer to make it past the sectional tournament this season.
On Friday, he shot 42 on the front and 43 on the back for an 85 that leaves him tied for 26th.