Cameron Casto fired a solid 74 to lead the Olentangy boys golf team to a runner-up finish in the Mike Nesselroad Invitational presented by Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan Friday afternoon at Oakhaven.
The Braves weren’t perfect, but their combined 311 was good enough to land them just five strokes behind champion Bexley.
“It’s a good start to the season,” Olentangy coach Joel Glassburn said. “We still have some things to work on, but I saw a lot of good things today that we can build on for the future.”
Casto’s effort was complemented by steady rounds from Garrett Varanelli and Matthew Homza, who finished with respective scores of 77 and 78. Ben Nash carded an 82 while Garrett Leckrone shot an 86 to smooth out the squad’s top five.
Orange and Big Walnut also started the season with top-10 finishes. The Pioneers finished seventh with a 328 while the Golden Eagles had a 332 to close eighth.
Alex Cabungcal boosted Orange with a 77, Spencer Gifford fired an 80, Connor Cummins had an 82, Nate English finished with an 89 and Sam English carded a 94.
BW was led by Austin Schone’s 76. Parker Imertreijs followed with an 80 while Nick Dimitroff and Henry von Hollen had 88s.
Buckeye Valley, meanwhile, finished 13th with a team total of 349. Jake Kehoe paced the Barons with an 80. Other BV contributors included Zach Thomson (82), Reese Cramer (88), Nick Baesman (99) and Mitchell Lucas (99).
Host Hayes, with six freshmen in its top 10 heading into the season, finished 16th with a combined 372. Senior David Kelly led the way with an 84 while Jake Ross fired a 92, Sam Bonofiglio carded a 96, Logan Keeder posted a 99 and James White closed with an even 100.
GIRLS GOLF
The Olentangy girls golf team won the Olentangy Golf Classic for the first time in the event’s seven years, firing a school-record 319 to beat out Orange and Liberty Friday at Oakhaven.
The 319 bettered the Braves’ old record by 41 shots.
Leila and Kara Raines led Olentangy. Leila, just a freshman, carded a team-best 75 while Kara, a returning state qualifier, finished with a 76.
Orange finished second with a 328 while Liberty closed third with a 339. North Canton Hoover (347), Hilliard Davidson (350), Lexington (363), Westerville Central (364), Hayes (384), Lancaster (393), Grove City (438) and Thomas Worthington (442) rounded out the scoring summary.
The Pioneers were boosted by Riley Dean, who nabbed medalist honors with a 74. The Patriots, meanwhile, where led by Priyasha Kota’s 75.
