By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Brody Riley and Gavin McGuire have big plans for Fall Break next week.
The Union City High School golfers qualified for the Class 1A State Tournament after placing second and third, respectively, in the Region 7A Tournament at the Tennessee River Golf Club on Monday.
While the remainder of the UC Schools student body and staff will take a three-day Fall Break next week, Riley and McGuire will represent the UC program at the Sevierville Golf Club on Thursday and Friday (Oct. 9-10).
Riley, the lone senior on this year’s Tornado squad and also the second-place finisher in last week’s district event, shot a 1-over par 72 on Monday to make the individual state tourney cut. McGuire, meanwhile, who was fifth in the district, drained a birdie putt on the third playoff hole to punch his ticket to East Tennessee after finishing regulation with a 74.
Union City (311) won a one-hole playoff vs. McKenzie to claim team runner-up honors, too, behind only Wayne County (303). Both Riley and McGuire birdied that extra hole, while Coop Frankum recorded a par. Paul Martin Tohn sealed 2nd place for the Twisters by holing a 60-foot putt.
The Tornadoes beat the Rebels and Westview (314) after finishing third to those two in last week’s district tournament. Bolivar, which boasted individual champion William Zawacki (70), was fifth with a 321, and Scotts Hill (329) rounded out the six-team field.
UC’s Monday effort – both individually and collectively – drew words of praise from head coach Jason Qualls.
“I’m super proud of all of our kids, and especially of Brody and Gavin,” Qualls said after the long day on the links. “Those two just went out and played and did what they always do. They kept the ball in play, for the most part, and they both made key putts at one time or another.
“We didn’t pay attention to what was at stake, or who we were playing against. We just played. I think all any coach ever wants is to play their best when the stakes are the highest. And we did that.”
Frankum shot a solid 77, while Tohn and Stephen Herrell each carded 88s to round out Union City’s team total.
The UC girls ended up fifth in a six-team field, Scotts Hill (162) claiming the tournament championship and automatic state bid.
Stella Turner shot 108, and Annie Beth Cruce finished with a 125 for the Lady Tornadoes’ team total of 233.
“It’s good to know that we had six players compete today who’ll return next year, and they all gained some really good experience on the tournament level,” Qualls concluded.
“They all can take something good from it.”
MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
Four Union City runners posted personal-best times, and the Tornado boys placed second at the Minutemen 2 Mile Run at Lexington on Monday.
Cooper Waggoner, Will D. McKinnis, Walton Harder, and Stella Graham all recorded their best finishes in UC’s final meet of the season.
Waggoner, McKinnis, and Graham each earned a medal for their respective finishes, as did Brody Fields (11:58), who placed second overall in the field of 112 boys.
Waggoner (12:24) came in third, McKinnis (13:10) was 13th, and Harder (16:50) finished 86th. Owen Shannon came in 37th.
Graham was slotted at No. 20 after being timed at 15:42. Chloe Baumgardner (16:58) placed 34th among 78 girls. Ella Duncan (23:44) competed in the jayvee race for Union City.
There were 26 schools with at least one runner in the field.