Lynchburg-Clay golf qualifies for state with district championship; McClain’s Chandler earns state bid
Pictured are McClain's Connor Chandler (left) and the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs boys golf team as they all qualified for the Division II Boys Golf State Tournament. (Photos courtesy of McClain Athletics and Lynchburg-Clay Golf)
The Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs boys golf team, with three juniors and two seniors, have qualified for the Division II State championships by becoming district champions on Wednesday at the Crown Hill Golf Course.
The Mustangs won with a score of 317, gaining the victory and district title by two strokes over the Westfall Mustangs, who with their second-place finish also became state qualifiers.
Lynchburg-Clay junior Nolan Wilkin placed second overall with a score of 76 in the 18-hole event with rounds of 38 and 38.
For the McClain Tigers, junior Connor Chandler was tied for third place overall with a score of 77, as he was the second individual qualifier for the Division II districts at Crown Hill. Ironton senior Asher Keyes was tied for third with Chandler, but was the first individual to qualify for state at districts due to his final three holes having better scores.
As for the rest of the state-qualifying Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs, junior Jackson West and senior Aiden Bene tied for ninth place overall with a score of 80, as West’s rounds were 43 and 37, while Bene had rounds of 39 and 41.
LCHS junior Kristian Beachy was tied for 12th place overall with four other golfers. LC senior Austin Manning carded a 96 in the event with rounds of 47 and 49.
Following Lynchburg-Clay and Westfall at districts were Ironton (327), Circleville (333) and West Union (334) for third through fifth place.
The sixth through 10th place teams were Fairland (337), Fairfield Union (338), Amanda-Clearcreek (360), Piketon (379) and Wheelersburg (408).
At sectionals last week on Sept. 23, the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs won the championship with a score of 309. At that event, Wilkin won the sectional championship with a score of 74 (37, 37).
That event saw McClain’s Chandler place second with a score of 75 (37, 38) where he was tied for the runner-up spot.
As for the Mustangs, their sectional scores included West in fourth place at 76 (38, 38), Beachy in ninth at 79 (40, 39) and Bene with a score of 80 (41, 39) for 10th place. The Mustangs also had Manning have a score of 89 (42, 47) at sectionals.
The Division II Boys Gold State Tournament will take place Sunday, Oct. 11 and Monday, Oct. 12 at the Firestone Country Club in Akron.