Blair Oaks' Elder tied for lead in Class 2

So much for nerves on a big stage as a youngster.

Blair Oaks freshman Tanner Elder fired a first-round 74 and is tied for the lead after Monday's first round of the Class 2 state golf tournament at Fremont Hills Country Club in Nixa.

Elder is tied with Justin Wrozier of Lutheran: St. Peters, who also shot 3-over par.

The second and final round is Tuesday and Elder and Wrozier (who finished third last year) have stiff competition right behind them, as there are 17 golfers within six shots of the lead.

That includes Blair Oaks sophomore Kory Franks, who fired a 77 and is tied for seventh along with Southern Boone's Blake Lammers. Eugene's Ryan Doerhoff is also in contention, as he is tied for 18th after shooting an 80.

Southern Boone's Walker Kesterson shot an 82 and is tied for 28th, while Eugene's Drew Geritz shot an 85 to finish the first round in 40th. Fatima's Connor Muenks is tied for 58th after shooting an 88.

Lutheran: St. Peters leads the team race with a 317. Lamar is second at 322 while Barstow is third at 333.

III

Jefferson City freshman Gabe Trowbridge had a nice first round against some tough competition Monday afternoon. He fired an 85 in the first round of the Class 4 state tournament at Rivercut in Springfield.

Trowbridge is tied for 73rd after a day of low scores, as 37 golfers broke 80.

Adam Lechner of Kearney leads the way with a 69. Zac Ditmer of Liberty is second with a 71.

Marquette leads a tight team race with a 308. Timberland is second with a 310. All eight teams are within 21 shots of the lead.

III

The Tipton Cardinals sit in eighth place in Class 1 after a 385 in the first round at Silo Ridge Golf Club in Bolivar.

Ethan Koechner led the Cardinals with an 86 and is in 23rd place. Beau Bookout fired a 92 and is in 52nd, Hayden Eichelberger is in 65th with a 95, Branden Boehlen is in 82nd with a 102 and Jacob Buschjost sits in 88th with a 109.

Russellville's Chandler Wolf shot an 87 to finish his first round tied for 31st. New Bloomfield's Martin Ridge fired a 109 to finish the round in 88th, while Linn's Zach Kucsik shot a 90 to finish in 42nd.

Marceline (337) has a one-shot lead on Barat Academy for the team lead. The second and final round is today.

In Class 3, Eldon's Braden Atkinson shot a 79 to finish the first round in 27th. The second round at the Sedalia Country Club is Tuesday.

For results from state golf, please see page C2.