Marty Gordon
The New River Valley has two state high school golf champions. Both Blacksburg and Auburn high schools brought home trophies earlier this week.
Blacksburg won its fourth straight and posted a 12-stroke victory over Monacan. The Bruins were led by Jake Albert who finished as the state runner up for the third year in a row, and Cameron Sharp who birdied six of his last seven holes to secure the victory.
Drew Royal won the individual Class 1 state golf championship with teammate Matthew Altizer third as they led Auburn to another state title.
In Class 2, Floyd would take first place with Radford in fourth. Floyd shot a 315 total, while Radford tallied a 345 score.
In Class 3, Christiansburg’s Josh Cummins finished tied for eighth with an 83.
Gareth Steyn fired an 11-over 221 to tie for 20th and lead the Virginia Tech men’s golf team at The Qubein Cup, which concluded Tuesday at Sedgefield Country Club (par 70, 7,130 yards).
Steyn carded rounds of 73, 71 and 77 to post his first top 20 of the season.
The Hokies placed 13th in the team standings with a 921 (306-303-312). Chattanooga prevailed at the top of the team leaderboard with an 18-over 858 (280-287-291), seven shots ahead of Texas A&M.
Camden Braidech of Chattanooga claimed medalist honors behind a 3-under 207 (66-71-70). Michigan’s Hunter Thomson was the runner-up at even-par 210 (70-68-72).
The Virginia Tech women’s golf team placed 10th at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational, which concluded Sunday at Finley Golf Club (par 70, 6,081 yards).
Emily Mathews recorded her first top 10 of the season by tying for eighth at 2-over 212 (74-72-66). Her 4-under 66 was highlighted by seven birdies and was her second round in the 60s through four events this fall.
Katherine Lemke tied for 19th at 7-over 217 (75-71-71) behind a team-best 11 birdies over her 54 holes. Morgan Ketchum fired an 8-over 218 (73-69-76) to tie for 26th.
Duke won the team title at 16-over 856 (292-284-280), three shots clear of runner-up Wake Forest and Michigan State.
Andie Smith of Duke won the individual title at 7-under 203 (68-66-69), five strokes ahead of Wake Forest’s Carolina Lopez-Chacarra.
The Radford University women’s golf team with a pair of top 20 finishes from Mckenzie Weddle and Shea Smith would see the Highlanders place 7th at the Edisto Island Invitational.
Sophomore Mckenzie Weddle and junior Shea Smith would lead the efforts for this invitational as both would finish in a tie for 18th place. Weddle would start off with an 80 (+9) but would make up for it by going back-to-back rounds, securing a 71 (E) in each. Smith would open round one going under par with a 70 (-1) and close out the second round with an 81 (+10). Smith would bounce back with the same final round score as Weddle with a 71 (E).
Sophomore duo Caroline Gilreath and Macy Johnson would both swing their way into a tie for 34th place on the individual leaderboard. Gilreath would notch a 75-73-79 (+14). Johnson was able to secure a share of 34th place after going 76-74-77 (+14).
A pair of top-15 finishes from Bobby Dudeck and Channing Blevins place the Radford University men’s golf program 10th overall at the Elon Phoenix Invitational.
Bobby Dudeck would pace the Highlander squad during this invitational, placing in a tie for 9th place on the individual leaderboard. Dudeck would open round one with a 66 (-5) which featured seven birdies on his card. He will follow up with a 71 (E) for round two and close out his outing on the course with a 72 (+1).
Graduate student Channing Blevins would have quite the performance on the course as well, capping off day one with an impressive 68 (-3). He would follow up with a 75 (+4) for the second, but he would regain momentum in the final round of the tournament with another 68 (-3) to help him place 12th on the individual leaderboard.
