Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 25, 1995 TAG: 9510250090
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GREG BRILL SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: WINCHESTER LENGTH: Medium
Northside had three golfers score 79 or better Tuesday during the final round of the Group AA tournament at Carper's Valley Golf Club. With it came a round of 315 as the Vikings combined Monday's score of 307 to finish with a 622 and win their first state championship. It is believed to be Northside's first state title in any sport.
Northside coach Jim Wolfe's strategy for his golfers? Focus.
``We had every man focus on their round," Wolfe said. ``We wanted to block out what everyone else did. Thankfully, everything worked out."
The majority of scores were higher on the breezy, Indian summer afternoon. Even so, Justin Young and Jason Orlando came in with rounds of 77, and Jacob Jarrett carded a 79. Josh Mattox, who played sick, had an 82 to give Northside a 315.
``You expect the scores to go up on the second day, but our guys hung tough," Wolfe said. ``They deserve all the credit."
``I knew Harrisonburg had a good team. It just comes down to whoever puts it together on the second day."
Harrisonburg, which had just one score under 81, came in with a 320 to finish seven strokes behind the Vikings with a 629.
R.E. Lee-Staunton's Mike Gooden became the second straight golfer from the Valley District to take medalist honors. The junior, who was the co-leader with Young on Monday, scored a 2-over-par 72 for the second straight day to win by five strokes with a 144.
Young, a senior, finished with a two-day total of 149. He beat Cameron Yancey of Nottoway on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff for second place among medalists.
``We came in today with a lot of confidence," Young said. ``Our top six can all shoot in the 70s. We knew Harrisonburg would play well.
``It's great to go out with a bang. It's a dream come true."
Jarrett finished with a two-day total of 153, Orlando had a 157, and Mattox finished at 164.
Martinsville just missed bringing home a trophy by finishing fourth with a 652. Aaron Koval led the Bulldogs with a 157 and Robby Burton finished with a 160.
Rockbridge County's George Pickral was beaten in a playoff for fourth by Jefferson Forest's Brian Glass.
Each golfer finished with a 152. Glass was an alternate for Staunton River's Billy Childress, who withdrew before the tournament.
Daryl Byrd of Lord Botetourt had a two-day total of 156, and Liberty's Lee Fisher ended up with a 157.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB