Boys golf: Montrose, Northfield’s Swanson claim regional titles
DENVER — The Montrose boys golf team is heading back to the Class 4A state tournament after winning their fifth straight regional championship.
As a team, Montrose shot a combined score of 236. Summit took second with a 244, good enough to also send a team to state .Steamboat Springs third at 249 and Green Mountain fourth at 252.
Northfield’s Hunter Swanson claimed the individual championship by shooting a bogey-free 5-under-par 67. Montrose was led by Jordan Jennings who shot 74.
Jennings’ teammate, freshman Noah Richmond and Summit’s Ryley Cibula each shot 76 to finish in a tie for third.
“I am extremely happy with our team and that they captured another regional championship,” Montrose Coach Steve Skiff said. “Green Valley Ranch was a tough golf course, but the boys stayed patient and kept battling all day. I am also very proud of our senior leader Jordan Jennings who finished second with a 74.
Jordan played a very solid round of golf today and hit the ball well.He is such a great leader for us. Noah Richmond got off to a slow start, but stayed with the course and finished with a strong 76. (Sophomores) Jake Legg and Rocco Manuel grinded all day long and (both) shot 86. We are very excited to qualify the team again for the state tournament and look forward to playing Country Club of Colorado on Oct. 5 & 6.”
Montrose has claimed the last three 4A team titles and is looking to make it four in a row. Last year’s individual champion, Micah Stangebye, is gone, but this crop of player knows all they needed to do was to qualify to give themselves a shot. They have the experience of playing at a big-level event and can’t wait to once again defend their title.
“I’m just excited that we got our whole team to state,” Jordan Jennings said. “We need to buckle down these next few weeks to get our games sharp for state.”
Around the state:
Aspen conquers River Valley Ranch
Aspen’s Nic Penvy bogeyed the final hole at River Valley Ranch in Carbondale to shoot 73, but he was still two shots clear of Vail Christian’s Ross Anderson in claiming a regional championship. Both Aspen and Vail Christian qualified full teams for the 3A state tournament at Dos Rios in Gunnison.
Montezuma-Cortez’s Plewe goes low at Hollydot
Thayer Plewe wasn’t messing around when it came to qualifying for state. The Montezuma-Cortez sophomore pounded Hollydot into submission by firing a 65 to claim a regional title.
Colorado Academy had all four players finish in the top 12 to claim the team title and send a full squad to Dos Rios.
Mullen, Riverdale Ridge get teams out of Quail Dunes
Mullen’s Mario Dino had a bit of an adventurous round but finished his day at even par to claim the individual championship at Region 3 at Quail Dunes. The Mustangs also claimed the team title as Rhett Johnson and Andrew Brady claimed top 16 finishes.
Riverdale Ridge was the team runner-up and its squad of Will Balliet, Aiden Sweeney and Bradley Weinmaster will all head to the Country Club of Colorado in less than two weeks.
