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With their leader and team captain out for at least a few weeks, the Rockbridge County High School golfers stepped up in his absence in a Valley District tournament on Thursday at Lakeview Golf Club in Harrisonburg.
The previous weekend, the Wildcats found out that junior Andrew McCoy, who led them for most of last year, would be out for a while due to a hip injury. McCoy had led the Wildcats in all three competitions the previous week, the first week of the season.
Playing in the rain for the second Thursday in a row, the Wildcats shot a 357 to place fifth of seven teams. William Monroe remained undefeated in the district, winning with a 317. Turner Ashby placed second with a 331, and Spotswood tallied a 333 to finish third. Rounding out the standings were East Rockingham (356), RC, Broadway (374) and Harrisonburg (398).
TA’s Ryan Hutchinson was the medalist, firing a 70 on the challenging 18-hole, par-72 course. Also stepping up for TA was Jacob Alderfer, carding a 77.
Leading the Wildcats was sophomore Harrison Tanner, shooting a career-best 76 to place third, making seven birdies along the way. RC head coach David Miller said Tanner “stepped up big time.”
Also recording his best round was junior Jack Jensen, who fired a 78 for RC’s second score.
Freshman Finbar Looney posted a career-best 101 for the Wildcats’ third score, and RC sophomore Dean Fafatas and senior Will Gibbs both shot 102. Also competing for the Wildcats was junior Jud Beacham, carding a 110.
Reviewing the tournament, Miller said he was “very proud of the Wildcats today and their effort.”
“Improvement from everyone, and the team is headed in the right direction,” added Miller.
The Wildcats started a Valley District tournament at Greene Hills Club in Standardsville on Monday of last week, but the tournament was stopped due to rain.
After a break from competition this week, the Wildcats will return to action on Monday at noon when they play at a district tournament at Woodstone Meadows Golf Course in McGaheysville, with Spotswood playing host.
Looking ahead, Miller said RC “is hoping to get Andrew back soon and looks forward to where we are headed.”
