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Vikings top first-round score at zone

Steve Yingling

South Tahoe High’s top three players improved their scores Wednesday, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Vikings out of eighth place at the Northern 4A regional golf championships in Elko.

Senior Kevin Fannan and junior Teddy Kosciolek each carded 82s and sophomore Kyle Garrett fired an 86 as the Vikings shot eight shots better than their first-round score.

Still, the Vikings couldn’t overtake practice partner Douglas for seventh place, losing by six strokes.



“We play a lot of golf with them and we always like to beat them,” said STHS coach Mike Patterson of the schools’ friendly rivalry.

With many of the pins tucked behind bunkers, the conditions weren’t ripe for a significant move up the leader board. Kosciolek and Fannan had hoped to go low and have a shot at an individual state berth.



“They put a lot of pressure on themselves and that makes it tough,” Patterson said.

Grabbing the five coveted individual state qualifying spots were Carson’s J.T. Cockerill and Scott Jenkins; Elko’s Denim Inman and Spanish Springs’ Robert Perea and Ren Wilson.

Cockerill finished in a three-way tie for second place behind medalist Scott Smith of Fallon. Smith shot a pair of 1-over-par 72s, clearing the field by five shots.

Meanwhile, STHS’s Garrett became more comfortable with Ruby View’s difficult conditions on the second day.

“I just played better all around and I was chipping much better than (Tuesday), ” said Garrett, who improved his score by six strokes in the second round. “I had a better feel for the greens today than (Tuesday).”

Joel Morris posted the Vikings’ fourth-best score Wednesday with a 91. K.J. Allister and Dru Blair shot 94s.

Fallon captured the team title and Galena rallied from third place to seize the North’s second team berth to state. Two-day team scores were Fallon 763, Galena 779, Spanish Springs 792, Elko 797, Carson 806, Reno 819, Douglas 872, South Tahoe 878.

Patterson will welcome back four of his six players who participated at regionals.

“We improved all year and it was pretty good for a mountain team to compete and make the regional tournament,” Patterson said. “Hopefully our young guys will work on their games this summer and be ready to go (next season).”


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