Cougar golfers 4th at Defiance tourney

Van Wert independent

DEFIANCE — The boys’ golf team at Van Wert High School started its season off with a fourth-place finish out of 18 teams at the Defiance Invitational at Eagle Rock Golf Course in Defiance.

Senior Matt Cucciarre carded his best 18-hole round ever with a 7-over-par 78. His round was highlighted with a chip in birdie on No. 4 and many great up and downs to save par. Individual honors were dominated by Defiance. Bulldogs Jacob Behringer and Josh Scott were in a play-off for medalist at 74, while teammate Jacob Moore was third with a 75.

The remainder of the Cougar golfers pitched in as follows: Jacob Brake, 82; Tyler Turnwald, 83; Vince Moreland, 84; and Brandon Hernandez, 89. Dropping the high score gave Van Wert a 327 total, four strokes better then last year’s third-place finish of 331.

The varsity team returns to action Wednesday at the Liberty Benton Invitational at Sycamore Springs outside Arlington, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Coach Jeff Hood said he sees a ton of potential for this year’s team and is expecting to see big improvement in course management and putting throughout the season.

Team results

1. Defiance 300 (team course record), 2. Bryan 319; 3. Wauseon 321; 4. Van Wert 327; 5. Napoleon 333; 6. Stryker 337; 7. North Central 337; 8. Liberty Center 341; 9. Kalida 347; 10. Defiance B 352; 11. Tinora 352; 12. Wayne Trace 360; 13. Archbold 367; 14. Ottawa-Glandorf 377; 15. Celina 380; 16. Ayersville 411; 17. Fairview 422; 18. Paulding 479.