Boys golf: Avon edges Amherst on tiebreaker at LCAAA tournament

AVON — Over the years Avon and Amherst have had their share of prolific battles on the golf course. None were any closer then their showdown Friday at Bob-O-Link Golf Course. After the Eagles and Comets each posted team scores of 296, it came down to comparing the rounds of their No. 5 golfers to determine the Lorain County Athletic Administrators Association championship. Avon sophomore Samuel Griffiths' round of 80 beat out Amherst No. 5 man to give the Eagles the win on their home course. "It was great today because our one and two men didn't play up to where they usually do, and our three through six played really well and picked up the team," Avon coach Jeff Stevens said. "I can't say I'm completely surprised, but those guys played better than I though they would today." The Eagles No. 3 man, junior Zack Snyder, led the team with a 1-under par 70. "I started a little rough, I was fighting for par but then I started dropping putts on the back nine," Snyder said. "We know all the ins and outs of this course, where to be and where not to be. We know which par 4s are drivable and we take advantage of that." Comets junior Jaxson Yoder was able to figure out the par 4s as well. His eagle on the 314-yard 16th Hole allowed him to earn medalist honors with a 2-under par 69. "I had a slow start, I hit a couple of wedges over the green, but I got up-and-down well," Yoder said. "Then I chipped in for eagle. I had couple of others that were pretty close to dropping. "I've been playing how I practice. I've been putting in the work and it's starting to show." Eagles senior Jacob Arnold was one of the golfers to shoot an even-par 71. Amherst's Alek Kissane was the other. "I bogeyed the third hole, but after that I was just hitting fairways. The driver was nice," Arnold said. "I was finding the greens and two-putting for par. It was a pretty clean round. "We've been fighting in the heat all week so it means a lot get a win. It was a long week and we got it done. I think this gives us a lot of momentum. I know my swing feels good, I'm sure everyone else feels good. I think we've got a good chance to win the (Southwestern Conference) preview." The Eagles also got scores of 76 from Cameron Ocepek and 79 from Jack Hecei. On many days 299 would be good enough for a win but on this day it was only good enough to give Vermilion a third-place finish. Noah Penton and Sam Riddle both carded 1-over par 72s for the Sailors. Lurking just behind the top three were fourth-place Midview (305) and North Ridgeville (306). The Middies were led by Sam McCulley's 72. Joshua Behlke and Mason Limpert paced the Rangers with rounds of 74. Except for Vermilion, the rest of the top five will meet again Monday at the Southwestern Conference at Pine Hills. Yoder said the Comets will be ready to begin defense of their SWC title. "Pine Hills is a good course for us," Yoder said. "In the past Avon hasn't been able to beat us there so I think we'll be ready for them. We have a lot of confidence right now, but we know it's one round and one shot at a time so you don't want to think ahead." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Team standings: Avon 296*, Amherst 296, Vermilion 299, Midview 305, North Ridgeville 306, Avon Lake 323, Elyria Catholic 325, Columbia 346, Keystone 348, Firelands 349, Wellington 358, Oberlin 432. *Avon won on fifth score tiebreaker Medalist: Jaxson Yoder, Amherst, 69. Top Individuals: Zack Snyder, Avon, 70; Alek Kissane, Amherst, 71; Jacob Arnold, Avon, 71; Sam McCulley, Midview, 72; Sam Riddle, Vermilion, 72; Noah Penton, Vermilion, 72. Individual results: Avon (296): Jack Hecei 79, Ethan Olszowy 82, Zack Snyder 70, Cameron Ocepek 76, Jacob Arnold 71, Samuel Griffiths 80. Amherst (296): Alek Kissane 71, Jordan Miller 75, Jaxson Yoder 69, Landon Wolf 82, Ben Taylor 81, Liam Puhalla 87. Vermilion (299): Adam Gerber 78, Noah Penton 72, Sam Riddle 72, Jackson Fahr 88, Landon Booker 81, Brady Myers 77. Midview (305): Lucas Hendershot 77, Jonathan Klooz 88, Wyatt Frank 74, Sam McCulley 72, Patrick Dolin 82, Zach Rubin 98. North Ridgeville (306): Joshua Behlke 74, Ethan Crevda 77, Mason Limpert 74, Teddy Greenfield 83, Jakob Holland 98, Logan Ponting 81. Avon Lake (323): Benjamin Santo 79, Emmit Lotz 77, Brady Allemeier 84, Daniel Narowitz 85, Declan Roth 83, J.T. Davis 97. Elyria Catholic (325): Alex Meecha 78, Sean Howell 85, Dylan Kirsh 85, Griffin Volney 89, Giovanni Barb 77, Brezlin Hawke 86. Keystone (348): Ryan Younglas 92, Liam Goran 83, Matthew Morrison 88, Reed Grams 85, Dax Cassell 93, Ty Holzhauer 108. Firelands (349): Luke Grisez 79, Kase Rogers 89, Kolbe Dodson 90, Camden Arnal 91, Hunter Layport 118, Lucas Fredrick 125. Wellington (358): Zach Kehl 90, James Wacker 89, Colson West 84, Luke Sword 99, Caleb Hamer 95, Nathan Gereke 135. Oberlin (432): Chris Hamer 100, Colbey Wnoroski 99, Liam Steggall 109, Harvey Bradish 124, Tyler Musgrove 141. Open Door (No team score): Max Sooy 90, Coltan Burrer 119, Jack Polaniec 112.