Prep Golf: Benton repeats as SIRR champions

For the second straight year, Benton won the Ohio Division of the River to River Conference golf tournament here Tuesday at Hickory Ridge Golf Course. Overall, it was the 11th conference title for the Rangers.

Benton placed three players on the All-Conference team, led by senior Gehrig Wynn, who shot a 75 on the par-72 course. Wynn was topped only by Massac County's Brock Willmes, who took medalist honors with a 73.

Benton's Derek Oxford and Brendan Luster fired 76s, tying Massac County's Brock Burnham for third place. Austin Wills also made the All-Conference team, tying for ninth place with an 82. Jordan Richey carded an 86.

Benton's team total of 309, easily outdistanced second place Massac County (315). Remaining team scores were: Herrin 327 and West Frankfort 341. Harrisburg had just two players and did not figure in team scoring.

Benton would've had four players made the all-conference squad - Robbie Moore clubbed an 82 - but was disqualified due to a scoring mistake. It didn't affect the Rangers' total score since the top four scores are counted.

Harrisburg's Garrett Jenkins was also an all-conference selection, firing an 82 tying for ninth, although disappointed with his effort.

"I couldn't really hit the ball well off the tee. I was up around the greens, but other than that, it really wasn't that great. I wasn't very happy with the way I finished," he said. "Last week I played really well. I tied for second in two tournaments, but I'm disappointed with today. I think I could've done better."

Camden Schiff shot a 88 for the Bulldogs, finishing 25th out of 60 golfers.

Benton closes out its regular season Thursday at home in a quad match with Carmi White County, Woodlawn and Harrisburg. The Rangers will then prepare for Tuesday's Regional at Kokopelli Golf Course in Marion.

"I feel like we will be ready. I don't feel like we're ready for it yet. We know that there are several teams that can take us at any point. We're going to go in it like we're the underdog. We're going to try to prove ourselves," Norman said.

"I think our team is very capable of reaching state but we have to keep plugging. We're not getting the kind of scores we need right now, but that's good, because we want to save our best golf for the end of the season. We just have to keep coming to practice and working on what we need to work on and keep our minds focused," said Wynn.