Eight set for run at all-state

BOLIVAR — Several golfers from The Democrat’s coverage area are in the hunt for all-state honors and possibly a state title in the Class 1 state boys golf championship.

Eight golfers put themselves within striking distance of the top 15 Monday at the Silo Ridge and Country Club. The top 15 scores make the all-state team.

Tipton’s Trey Allison posted a 74, putting himself one stroke off the lead.

Right behind Allison is Windsor junior Josh Sadler trails Allison by one stroke and leader J.D. Nash, of Newburg, by two.

Sadler is no stranger to the state championship. Last year he finished in a tie for second with a two-day total of 159.

Senior Matt Lenz, from Green Ridge, and junior Noah Kelley, from Tipton, are tied for 11th place after rounds of 82.

Lenz improved from last year’s first-round score of 86. Lenz’s long-ball capabilities make him a prime candidate to make a run for the championship as he stands nine strokes behind the leader.

Sacred Heart’s Jaron Lucchesi posted a round of 83.

Despite his improvements from 2007, he still feels there is plenty of room for improvement on day two.

“The wind definitely played a factor,” Lucchesi said. “I need to slow down a little bit. I think I had about eight lip-outs (on putting). It was the worst I could possibly do.”

Lucchesi shot an 84 in the first round last year and finished with a 76 to help Sacred Heart placed second in the state. He tied for fourth last year.

David Romig, of Tipton, is tied for 18th after the first day with his round of 84.

Isaac Garber and Andrew Huhmann, both of Tipton, are tied for 29th after posting rounds of 87.

Smithton senior Cody Williams parred his final two holes to finish at 88. Williams is tied for 37th place heading into day two.

Sacred Heart freshman Garrett Kelchner shot a 95, which landed him a tie for 73rd.

Lincoln’s Buddy Dill and Jacob Bancroft posted scores 96s.

Bancroft never got into a groove during the first round.

“I was very inconsistent today,” Bancroft said. “I could be doing one thing good at one time and another thing good at a different time. Every time I did something well my next shot would be horrible. It was just 100 percent inconsistent.”

Ethan Shackleford, from Stover, shot a 104 and Will Register, from Sacred Heart, turned in a 107.