AVON LAKE, Ohio -- Rocky River opened postseason play at the Boys’ Golf Division I Northeast Ohio Sectional Tournament on Monday, and, for the Pirates, October golf will continue. The Double-R posted a fourth-place finish in a 17-team field at Sweetbriar Golf Club, and that slot qualifies the Pirates to move forward in the state tournament. [Results]

The Maroon & White rode a strong finish to that fourth-and-final qualifying slot, a position being vied for over the par-72, 6,473-yard Legacy Course at Sweetbriar. The Pirates' team score was 326, which is 38 over par. But Rocky River was mere 5-over on the final five holes of play. In essence, the Swinging Corsairs were staring at certain disappointment with five holes to play. Only a determined rally -- one in stroke-by-stroke fashion, one man after another -- could get the Pirates to the right number by the end of the day. 

River's four scoring players were Hayden Weaver (37-42--79), Will Bennett (39-41--80), Nick Tianello (40-43--83), and Luke Dietrich (43-41--84). The aggregate finish was paced by Weaver, who parred Nos. 5 and 6 (River's 14th and 15th holes as the Pirates started play on the back none), then birdied 7 and 8 on his way to a 1-over 37 on the team's final nine. Bennett and Tianello carded a slew of pars in that same stretch; the freshman Tianello was just 1-over during River's five-hole march to more golf this month.

It all made for a feat that Pirate Boys' Golf has now accomplished two years in a row and in three of the last four: an advance to district tournament play.



CANNON FIRE ...

LATE LIFE: Rocky River has been impressive over four late-season tournaments. The Pirates placed fifth in a 16-team field at the Sept. 19 St. Edward Invitational (Oberlin Country Club), fourth in a 14-team field at the Sept. 21 Midview Invitational (Columbia Hills G.C.), first in the 10-team Great Lakes Conference Championship Tournament (Sept. 24, Grey Hawk G.C.), and now fourth in Monday's 17-team sectional event.

CARD SHARKS: The race continues for Rocky River's top stroke average on the season. Nick Tianello's 81.1 average is a shade better than Will Bennett's 81.3 figure heading into district play. Luke Dietrich's 82.0 ranks third. Hayden Weaver's 82.9 ranks fourth, and he's logged an 81.6 since Sept. 17.

MOVING ON: The St. Ignatius Wildcats won Monday's sectional, posting a team score of 293. Advancing to district tournament play (Oct. 12, Pine Hills G.C.) alongside the Wildcats and Pirates will be Avon (314) and Strongsville (319). River's strong finish edged St. Edward (329) for the fourth and final slot. ... Monday's medalist at Sweetbriar was St. Ignatius junior Topher Reed, who carded a 1-under 71.

by Skip Snow