Mt. Pleasant wins Fairfield Invite

FAIRFIELD — It was a fight to the finish between Mt. Pleasant and the hosting Trojans at Fairfield’s boys golf Invitational on Tuesday, but the Panthers had just enough to take home the tournament title.

Mt. Pleasant shot a 326 on the day, just three strokes better than Fairfield’s 329. Washington and Van Buren County tied for fourth, shooting 351 each.

The Panthers were led by the duo of Nick Matheny and Brevin Wilson. Both players ended the day at 75.

“It always feels good to get first place,” said Matheny. “Everybody played solid.”

Reece Kempker was the third-best Panther, at 82. Reece Coffman shot a 94. Ian Hake finished at 102, and Nate Dismang shot 125.

Second-place Fairfield was led by freshman Sam Weaton, who finished the day at 80. Max Weaton was two shots back, at 82.

All six Trojans ended at 88 or under. Nate Smithburg shot an 83. Evan Haines shot 84. Jeremy Crile ended at 87, and Brad Smithburg shot 88.

Nobody could catch Washington freshman Roman Roth. Roth won the tournament with a final shot total of 72, outpacing Mt. Pleasant’s top duo by three strokes. Roth made four birdies on the back nine.

“I felt good,” Roth said. “I had a rough go last week, but I came back and played really good today.”

Roth was the only Demon under 90. Teague Mayer finished at 91. Isaac Vetter and John Prochaska each shot 94. Grant Sobaski finished at 95, and Luke Beenblossom rounded out the Washington group with a 97.

Van Buren’s Clayton Bruckman had a nice night, shooting 80 to lead the Warriors’ charge. T.J. Jirak was the only other Warrior below 90, finishing with an 86.

Riley Bruckman shot 92 for the Warriors. Lucas McEntee finished at 93, and both Anthony Duncan and Dylan Richardson scored 99.

Fairfield’s junior varsity team placed eighth with a 404. The JV Trojans did have two players in double digits, as Nile Christensen scored 93 and Dave Eisner shot 96.

Rhai Klehm shot 105 for the JV Trojans. Austin Lisk finished at 110. Ethan Hunger shot 115, and Scott Gannon ended at 171.

TEAM SCORES: 1. Mt. Pleasant 326; 2. Fairfield 329; 3rd Williamsburg 348; T-4. Washington 351; T-4. Van Buren County 351; 6. Keokuk 366; 7. Centerville 390; 8. Fairfield JV 404.