The new school year hasn’t arrived but the Warren County High School golf team has already hit the fairway.
The boys team has played three matches, while the girls team has emerged as a team of one, that being Valeria Vargas. She’s the only golfer for the Lady Pioneers this year.
“She’ll be golfing individually,” said WCHS golf coach J.W. Holt. “She usually shoots in the 76 to 78 range and has a good chance at making the state.”
Golfers can qualify for the state as a team or individually.
The boys teams has seven golfers and is led by seniors Jaeden Pyburn, Bunker Brock and Nate Cantrell. The team also includes junior Levi Craven, sophomore Peyton Haston, and freshmen Aiden Grissom and Colton Krech.
The Pioneers were in Cleveland on Monday to compete in the Bradley Central Invitational at Cleveland Country Club. Warren County finished fourth in the seven-team field with a combined score of 360.
“It’s a course none of them play except once a year for this tournament,” said Holt. “It’s a nice course but it plays narrow.”
Holt said none of the Pioneers were on top of their game in Cleveland with Pyburn leading the team with 83. Craven shot 85, Cantrell 95, Haston 97 and Krech 98.
“We’re going to be growing throughout the year and getting better,” said Holt. “Levi and Jaeden are two guys who can get it done for us. Their scores can get down into the 70s. Levi can shoot in the mid to upper 70s, while Jaeden can get down to 78 or 79.”
The Pioneers will already have five matches under their belt by the time school starts this coming Thursday, Aug. 10. Next up is the Cookeville Early Bird at Tennessee Tech Golf Club on Monday.
Golf is the first fall sport to start and end. The district tournament is Sept. 18 with the region following one week later, Sept. 25.
The top three teams in the district advance to the region. Only the top team in the region advances to the state.