By Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Blacksburg High School’s golf team took a step toward the state Class 4 finals by winning the Region 4D championship Monday at Hidden Valley Country Club.
The region title came on the heels of the River Ridge district title last week, won by the Bruins at the Thorn Spring Golf Course in Pulaski with a team score of 285.
Blacksburg’s David Zhang took medalist honors in the region competition, but he needed a 23-hole playoff with teammate Samantha Skinner and Salem’s Kathryn Ha. The trio all finished with 69s to force the playoff.
Jake Albert shot a 72 and Sean Ruan fired a 74 for the Bruins at the region competition. With a team score of 311, Salem finished second to qualify for the state tournament, which will be held at Glenrochie Country Club in Abingdon. Hidden Valley was third and Patrick Henry fourth.
In 2C golf action, Floyd claimed the top spot with a 339. Patrick County was second at 349. Radford finished a distant third at 361 with Jack Davis leading the Bobcats with an 85. Patrick’s Jalen Hagwood took medalist honors with a 79.
Abingdon claimed the 3D tournament championship, also held on Monday. Northside’s Nick Crawford was the region’s medalist after a three-way playoff. Abingdon defended its regional team title with an overall score of 302. Hidden Valley was second at 306, and Magna Vista finished third at 309.
Christiansburg finished ninth with a 397 as Josh Cummins shot a 97 and Garrett Matthis a 98.