GALION — Alexis Jones is headed back to the district tournament and this time she’ll have some company from across Richland County.
A Shelby sophomore, Jones shot a 3 over 75 to repeat as medalist at Tuesday’s Division II sectional tournament at Valley View Golf Course. She advances to next week’s district tournament at Sycamore Springs Golf Course in Arlington, where she will be joined by Lexington.
Lady Lex shot a team total of 369, good for second place behind Huron (360). Edison (386) grabbed the third and final automatic berth to the district tournament. Shelby (391) finished fourth.
Jones improved on last year’s sectional championship score by two strokes. She carded a 77 at Valley View last year.
“Alexis had a great day, but that is not unusual for her,” Shelby coach Brad Ruminski said. “I see how hard she works every day.
“The thing is she left some shots out there today. I saw her play nine of 18 holes and she didn’t hit the ball close to the way she is capable of today.”
Chelsea Ridenour backed Jones with a 101. Emma Roberts had a 107 and Claire Korbas had a 108.
“It was exciting for our girls to be in the hunt for a district berth as a team,” Ruminski said. “We have a sophomore and two freshman (Roberts and Korbas) and they are going to continue to improve.”
Lady Lex Rolling: Lexington’s runner-up finish came on the heels of back-to-back team titles at the Ohio Cardinal Conference Tournament last week at Mohican Hills and the North Central Ohio Girls Golf League Tournament at Brookside over the weekend.
Alex Sazdanoff led Lady Lex with an 88, followed by Abby Conover’s 89. Courtney Thompson carded a 93, while Savannah Cinadr had a 99 and Natasha Mack shot a 103.
Lexington coach Mike Kathrein’s toughest job was setting his tournament lineup. Cinadr played at the OCC tournament but sat out the NCOGGL tourney over the weekend.
“My number one and two girls have separated themselves,” Kathrein said over the weekend, “but my third through 10th golfers are interchangeable.
“They are all so supportive of one another.”
Moving On: Buckeye Central’s Lydia Shealy (91) and Bellevue’s Megan Brugnone (93) joined Jones as individual qualifiers. Three teams and three individuals advanced to the district tournament.
Best of the Rest: Clear Fork shot a team total of 444, while Galion carded a 527. Ontario, Crestview and Mansfield Christian had players competing Tuesday, but didn’t field complete teams.
