By Susan Jenior

Staff Writer

Kent Roosevelt junior Liam Curtis led the charge among Portage County golfers, finishing in a tie for seventh place on his first day of competition on the tough Scarlet Golf Course fairways on Friday.

Curtis fired front and back nines of 35-38 for a 18-hole total of 73 — only five strokes off the pace set by the first-day medalist, Brady Catalano of Upper Arlington (68). Curtis’ total was just 2-over-par.

“Liam played a solid round of 73 today,” said Roosevelt coach Ben Curtis. “His ball-striking was especially solid. Not that he putted poorly, Liam just really didn’t make anything.

“I am proud of the way he finished and has put himself in a great position heading into the final round,” concluded the coach.

GRACYN VIDOVIC

Vidovic, of Aurora, also a junior, is in a tie for 11th place after carding nines of 38-37 for a 75, just 5-over-par. Vidovic was smiling as she was hitting fairways and greens, working her way around the golf course.

“I’m very happy with how Gracyn played today,” said Collin McEndree, Aurora coach. “She stayed very focused all day through the rain and wind to grind out a 75.

“Her ball-striking today was great, the putter unfortunately just couldn’t get going,” McEndree added. “Her only birdie today was a chip-in on the second hole. Looking to get the putter going for her tomorrow and improve on today’s round to move up the leaderboard.”

Vidovic offered that she is focused to do better in the second round.

“I just want to go out and do my thing,” said Vidovic. “It’s just another round of golf.”

MADDIE KOST

Everyone has days that they struggle in any tournament and Friday’s round was one of those days for Roosevelt’s Maddie Kost.

The senior is in a tie for 28th place following a first-round 37-42—79.

Eight-over-par may not seem like a struggle for most golfers. Kost is at the state tournament and among the top-30 golfers in the state going into the second round Saturday.

Working her way around the golf course, she birdied the fifth hole and owned 10 pars.

The Kent golfer is only five strokes away from the top 10 and looks to make a move up the leaderboard during the final round on Saturday.

Coached by Bryan Harvey, Kost continues a tradition of the Riders advancing to the state tournament.

GOLF SCOREBOARD

OHSAA D1 BOYS STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP (Day One)

(At Ohio State University Golf Club Scarlet Course – Par 71)

TEAM STANDINGS: Hoban 304, Upper Arlington 306, Olentangy Liberty 306, Anthony Wayne 308, Columbus DeSales 309, Springboro 313, St. Xavier 314, Hudson 318, St. Ignatius 319, Massillon Jackson 320, Lakota East 325, Green 327.

INDIVIDUALS: Brady Catalano, Upper Arlington 68; Sam Fauver, Hudson 69; Vaughan Harber, Columbus DeSales 69.

KENT ROOSEVELT: Liam Curtis 73.

OHSAA D1 GIRLS STATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP (Day One)

(At Ohio State University Golf Club, Gray Course – Par 70)

TEAM STANDINGS: Dublin Jerome 297, New Albany 301, Magnificat 307, Medina Highland 315, Springboro 315, Sycamore 321, Hoover 333, Ursuline Academy 337, Toledo St. Ursula Academy 338, Granville 340, Hudson 342, Perrysburg 355.

INDIVIDUALS: Mia Hammond, New Albany 67; Isabella Goyette, Medina Highland 70; Alexa Prettyman, Dublin Jerome 71; Skylar Dean, Olentangy Orange 71; Sydney Deal, Perrysburg 71.

AURORA: Gracyn Vidovic 75.

KENT ROOSEVELT: Maddie Kost 79