North Little Rock followed its first-day 293 with a 294 for a 587 total and outdistanced second-place Jonesboro (303-303-606) by 19 strokes to win the boys' championship of the tournament on Tuesday at Big Creek Golf & Country Club.
"We came up early for a practice round this year," North Little Rock coach Shawn Fecher said. "Last year, we came in with really high expectations, but we didn't leave with the score we wanted. We finished second, but Jonesboro beat us by like 40-something shots. They were great, and we did not play up to our ability."
The Conway Lady Wampus Cats coasted to the girls' championship, besting second-place Greenwood by 36 strokes.
North Little Rock's boys were led by the one-two punch of Hyun Je Lee and Hunter Walker.
Lee followed his Monday 1-under-par 71 with a 4-under 68 Tuesday for a 139 total, earning medalist honors. Walker was right behind with a 140 (69-71), and took second place individually after a scorecard tiebreaker over Jonesboro's Ben Sherman (67-73-140).
"Hyun Je won ASGA Junior Player of the Year a couple years ago," Fecher said. "He had some injuries last year. You're starting to see him get back into form. Hunter's had a really good summer. He'll be a junior, but he's done well."
Jonesboro was playing without leading golfer Wil Gibson, who was playing in a tournament in Mississippi. Brett Daughdrill added a 151, though, to aid Sherman for the Hurricanes.
"We were ready," Fecher said. "We have three seniors. I saw in the practice round they were playing well. I knew if we could make a few putts, we would do well. Two guys had not seen (the course). A few saw it last year. I think it's one of the best golf courses in the state, and if people haven't come up to play it, they should. We'll come up every year to play it."
Conway's Casey Ott was 9 strokes worse on Tuesday than in her first-round 67, but the senior still paced the Lady Wampus Cats with a medalist 143 score for the tournament.
"Yesterday, I was hitting it close and putting it well," Ott said. "I had seven birdies and two bogeys. I've played this course a lot growing up. I knew what to expect, and I really like it, and the course was in good shape."
Greenwood's Sydnie Gamble was second individually with a 148 (74-74), and Conway's Sydney Stiener was third with a 153 (77-76).
"I hope me and Sydney can play well at state," Ott said. "It's at our home course. It would be great if we could both get top three and make it to overall and represent Conway. I've never won 7A state, so that is my goal. It's my last chance."
Conway's girls shot rounds of 249 and 250 for a 499 total, while Greenwood shot 268 and 267 for a 535.
"The newer kids and younger members of our team did a great job," Conway coach Janet Taylor said. "Our freshman, Sam Stiener, was able to shoot her best round (98) and score both days. We have just two coming back from our state championship team last year, Sydney and Casey. It will be a work in progress all year, but we have the best veterans for them to learn from. It was good to have the team all together. We added a new senior, Sarah Raycher, who is improving every day."
Siloam Springs was third at 562, while the host Lady Bombers were a close fourth at 573. Jonesboro took fifth at 630, and Shiloh Christian was sixth at 750.
The top three boys' teams shot within 3 strokes Tuesday of their Monday totals, so the standings stayed almost the same. The only position change came with Little Rock Catholic overtaking Greenwood for fourth place.
Conway was third at 617 (307-310), Catholic was fourth at 632 (319-313), and Greenwood was fifth at 647 (315-332). Buffalo Island Central took sixth with 667, Marion was seventh at 694, Shiloh Christian was eighth at 713, Siloam Springs was ninth at 755, and Mountain Home placed 10th at 894.
Bradley Ludwig led the host Bombers with a 158, shooting a pair of 79s.
"I'm proud of all our boys," Mountain Home coach Dell Leonard said. "Bradley yesterday double bogeyed his first hole and tripled his second hole, then he ends up shooting a 79. So, that means he shot 2-over for the last 16 holes. I'm really proud of him. He's really comfortable and confident right now. I love what I see from him. The rest of the guys who are new to varsity are getting better. I'm proud of them going out there and grinding."
Weston Hoover carded a 216 two-day total, while Billy Knox added a 233, and Jackson Steiner notched a 264 for Mountain Home.
The Lady Bombers had their own one-two punch with sophomore Sydney Czanstkowski firing a 173 (86-87) and junior Kenzie Collins adding a 176 (89-87). Kori Schaufler carded a 224, Haley Czeschin notched a 243, and Kennedy Wyatt totaled a 269.
"We've improved a lot in a year," Leonard said of the girls. "I think with us hosting state, we need to get out and try to us... Click here to read full article
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