OBERLIN, Ohio -- Rocky River clocked a sixth-place finish in Saturday's St. Edward Invitational at Oberlin Country Club.

Despite windy conditions on the 6,280-yard Oberlin layout, the Pirates fired a season-best 319. That fine score tied the Swinging Corsairs for sixth in a field of 15 teams.

Nick Tianello led Rocky River with a career-best 73. Tianello went 2-under on the front nine and 3-over on the back on what is a par 35-37--72.The sophomore talent birdied three holes while hitting 11 fairways and 11 greens.

Fellow sophomore Luke Dietrich also broke 80. Dietrich registered a pair of birdies in carding a 40-38--78.

River's No. 3 and No. 4 scores were 83 (Wes Bennett) and 85 (Robby Lang, Sam Vannucci).

"Hopefully this is the beginning of a late-season peak for us," said head coach David Hendrickson. "With only a week-and-a half until sectionals, now is a good time to start playing our best golf of the season. This was an encouraging day for us."

St. Ignatius won Saturday's event with a team score of 298. The Wildcats' Michael O'Leary earned medalist honors with a 4-under 68.


CANNON FIRE ...

ON DECK: Rocky River is scheduled to play in Monday's Edison Invitational at Sawmill Creek Golf Club in Huron, Ohio.

SOPH SURGES: On Aug. at an Invitational at Congress Lake Country Club, Nick Tianello carded an 89 and Luke Dietrich fired a 90. Since then, Tianello has posted an average of 78.3; Dietrich has registered a 79.5 average. ... For the season, Dietrich's 80.2 leads the team. ... Nick Tianello has notched a fine 73.3% greens-in-regulation mark over his last six rounds.

SEPTEMBER SURGE: Junior Wes Bennett logged an 87.8 average through his first six events this season. Bennett has posted an 83.0 since. His season mark of 85.8 ranks third for Rocky River.


by Skip Snow

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