The defending Division I state champion Pioneers are loaded again this season … and they’re posting the scores to prove it.

Olentangy Orange, led by medalist Riley Dean, won the first OCC match of the season by 19 strokes Wednesday at Mentel Memorial.

Dean fired a match-low 69 while Ashley Au carded a 70, Natalia Sompolvorachai finished with a 74 and Alyssa Kim chipped in a 77 to smooth out the Pioneers’ top four and account for the team’s 290 total.

Olentangy Liberty finished second, closing with a 309, while Westerville Central (370), Olentangy (389), Westerville North (455) and Westerville South (508) rounded out the scoring summary.

Priyasha Kota led the Patriots with a 73 while Sidney Kadlic carded a 77, Kavya Manocha had a 79 and Sarah Latzke fired an 80.

Sierra Cardi posted the Braves’ top score, finishing with a 91. Other Olentangy contributors included Lauren Sommerfeld (96), Sam Horton (97) and Maddie Gwinn (105).

OCC-Capital Division

Big Walnut struggled in the first OCC match of the season, posting a 456 Wednesday at Royal American.

Sydnie Wright shot a 105, Grace Hofer carded a 113, Mikayla Colvin had a 116 and Daisy Rooney closed with a 122.

BOYS GOLF

Liberty fished second and Olentangy closed third at the Warhawk Invitational Wednesday afternoon at Rattlesnake Ridge Golf Club.

The Patriots, who tied Dublin Jerome atop the team leaderboard with a combined 298, settled for runner-up honors due the fifth-man tiebreaker.

Cole Corder led Liberty with a medal-winning 68. Trey Rath (74), Grant Smeltzer (77), Josh Steyer (79) and Jacob Hickman (83) also chipped in.

The Braves finished third with a 305. Luke Boerner led the way with a 74 while Trey Wilson carded a 75, Cameron Casto and Bryce Reed had 78s and Garrett Leckrone finished with an 88.