SEVILLE, Ohio -- Rocky River carded a second-place finish in Friday's Great Lakes Conference Preview at Rawiga Golf Club.

The Pirates were bested by one stroke by new league member Westlake in the 12-team event. The individual top-10 was dominated by Pirates and Demons. Four Double-R athletes (Lucas Dietrich--78, second ; Sam Vannucci--80, fourth; Owen Toole--84, seventh; Nick Tianello--85, ninth) were among that group. As a team, River fired a 327 on the 6,359-yard, par-72 layout. Westlake undercut the Pirates with a 326.

The Demons and Pirates finished well ahead of third-place Bay, which carded a 354.

Lucas Dietrich recorded two birdies in posting his second round in the 70s in as many days (74 at Pine Hills Golf Club on Thursday). Tianello and Vannucci also registered birdies on the day.

Westlake and North Olmsted played as GLC foes for the first time on Friday. The circuit, now in its seventh season, also includes Rocky River, Bay, Buckeye, Elyria Catholic, Fairview, Holy Name, Lakewood, Normandy, Parma, and Valley Forge. The Pirates are the six-time defending GLC champs.


CANNON FIRE ...

YOUNG BUCS: River's junior varsity ran its season record to 2-0 with a 187-212 victory over North Olmsted at Big Met Golf Club in Fairview Park. Wes Bennett (43), Tyler Fortune (45), and Luke Petrus (46) were the Pirates' top scorers.

ON DECK: The Sons of Blackbeard are scheduled to return to action Monday with the Polar Bear Classic at Shady Hollow Country Club in Massillon, Ohio.

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by Skip Snow