Logan Elm senior Will Higginbotham earned medalist honors on Saturday during the second Mid-State League Buckeye Division match of the season at Turnberry Golf Club.
Higginbotham turned in a scorecard of 77, which was two strokes better than Bloom-Carroll’s Carsten Deibel.
“The biggest difference and what is leading to Will’s success this season over last year is his ability to keep his emotions in check,” Logan Elm coach Rob Griffith said. “Will started off his round with a really bad first hole and took a double bogey. He was plus-two after one hole and finished five-over-par after the next 17 holes on a tough golf course. That’s a credit to Will and the type of round that he put together.”
Bloom-Carroll tightened the overall league race at the halfway point by winning the match with a score of 327, followed by Fairfield Union (340) and Teays Valley (343).
Vance Hanger led the Vikings with an 82, Caden Sherman shot 83, and James Bush and Damon Bakenhaster each tallied 89. Also playing for the Vikings were Noah Hilgenberg (90) and Tristen Nester (90).
“I was really pleased with the way Caden and Vance played,” Teays Valley coach Brian Barnett said. “They were really steady all day and each of them hit some great shots. I thought Damon and Tristen had a good day, as well.
“It was nice to see our guys battle all day. James had a tough day, some shots and bounces just did not go his way today, but that is golf and he is a veteran and will bounce back. Freshman Noah Hilgenberg played really well, he just had a couple of holes that got him. He will continue to learn and develop and will be a great player for us.”
Circleville and Logan Elm both scored 349, with the Tigers claiming the fifth-score tiebreaker to finish fourth.
Reid Seimetz fired an 83 for the Tigers, Michael Fernandez turned in a score of 87, Brady Reuter shot 88 and Jude Blair tallied 91. Also playing for the Tigers were Andrew Siembida (94) and Liam McConnell (108).
Grant Cline followed Higginbotham with an 80 for the Braves, and Judson Pollock and Parker Calder each shot 96 Also playing for the Braves were Cole Smith (97) and Graham Williams (98).
Amanda-Clearcreek was seventh with 411.
Ashden Vanscoy and Peter Brockman paced the Aces with 101 apiece, Caiden Riddle had 103 and Breece Stone shot 106. Also playing for the Aces were AJ Moyer (111) and William Francis (122).
Through two league matches, Fairfield Union and Teays Valley are tied for first at 10-2, defending champion Bloom-Carroll is in third at 9-3, Logan Elm is fourth at 6-6 and Circleville sits in fifth with a 5-7 mark.
The third league match of the season is slated for Sept. 7 at the Lancaster Country Club.
