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MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Rockvale boys, Central girls reach state golf tourney




Members of the PCA girls’ golf team include, from left, Dylan Fucci, Carolina Pardue (region medalist), Isabella Johnson (tied for region runner-up) and Reagan Warren. PCA will back in the state tournament to defend its 2021 title. SUBMITTED

Members of the PCA girls’ golf team include, from left, Dylan Fucci, Carolina Pardue (region medalist), Isabella Johnson (tied for region runner-up) and Reagan Warren. PCA will back in the state tournament to defend its 2021 title. SUBMITTED

In a carbon copy of the previous week’s district golf tournament, Rockvale boys and the Central Magnet girls won regional team titles Sept. 26 and will head to Sevierville as one of eight teams attempting to win a TSSAA championship.

On the individual side, a pair of seniors walked away with titles as Emma Clonan of Oakland shot a 74 and Lofton McRee of Blackman shot an even-par 72 and will represent their schools next week at the Sevierville Golf Club.

“I knew when I hit my first shot today that something special was going to happen,” Clonan said on making her second straight state appearance. I have played with a lot of girls that didn’t get a chance to go to the state and it is just a blessing, and all the hard work has paid off,”

“This was my senior year, and I knew I didn’t want things to end so I went out there and played hard,” McRee said.

“He has been so consistent in his play,” Blackman coach Barry Wortman said of McRee. “He has been playing since he was 4-years old. He will have an opportunity to play college golf and I am proud of him.”

On the boys’ side, led by Conner Rivers with a 73, Rockvale won its second straight region championship by 14 shots over Lawrence County 321-335. Oakland was third and Blackman fourth.

Rockvale players include Rivers, Aidan Sinclair, Nathan Pierce, Isaac Lambert, Holt Gillespie and Hayden Rohling.

The girls had Central Magnet leading the whole way as they shot a 159 to defeat Rockvale and Lincoln County who ended up tied at 171. Rockvale won a playoff to finish in second over Lincoln County. Blackman finished fifth.

“It is unbelievable that we are going to the state and maybe have a chance to win it as freshman and eighth graders,” Central Magnet golfer Lauren Powell said.

Central players include Elizabeth Schmackle, Anna Powell and Lauren Powell

“We played good, but I never thought we could make it this far,” Schmackle said. “I felt really good when I hit that eagle on hole number three as it was my second one this season.”

The other individuals that will be heading to Sevierville will be Addie Neal from Lincoln County and Solia Mechling, who will be the first Rockvale girl’s golfer to compete at the state tournament.

The boys will have Riverdale’s Pongpanot Jeenkaul, who scored a 75, and Lawrence County’s Stephen Thigpen, who won a playoff with Andrew Myers from Riverdale to earn the final individual spot for the state tournament.

The Division I state tournament will be Oct. 3-4, while the Division II tournament will be played Oct. 5-6.

PCA repeat as region champs

The PCA girls won the Middle Region title with a five-shot win over BGA and will have a chance to get the state title again in Sevierville.

Caroline Pardue shot a 70 and Izzy Johnson carded a 71 to lead them to victory over a BGA team led by Bella Bugg, who also shot 71.

Team members include Pardue, Johnson, Dylan Fucci and Reagan Warren.

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