Indians end first round fourth in Class 1

~ St. Vincent senior Zach Richardet is one shot off the lead in individual play.

St. Vincent's golf team found itself clinging to fourth place after the first day of the Class 1 state golf tournament Monday at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Mo.

The Indians shot a 349, one stroke ahead of fifth-place Orrick. St. Vincent was just four strokes behind second-place Marceline. Tipton held a 14-stroke lead after the opening round.

The final round will be played today. St. Vincent's last top-four finish was in 2002, a third-place finish.

For the second straight year, St. Vincent seniors Zach Richardet and Corey Brueckner were near the top of the leaderboard. Richardet shot an opening-round 6-over-par 78, just one stroke behind co-leaders Trey Allison and Jared Essary. Last year Richardet opened with a 76, but fell to 11th overall after shooting a second-round 84.

Brueckner shot an 81 to tie for fifth. Last year Brueckner shot an opening-round 77, but matched Richardet with an 84 in the second round and tied for 13th.

Lucas Schumer came in next for the Indians with a 90, followed by Jason Carron (100) and David Rhoden (101).

Saxony Lutheran senior Clay Obergoenner shot a 91, and sophomore teammate Tyler James carded a 104.

Jackson senior T.J. Smith opened with an 81 at the Class 4 tournament at Fremont Hills Country Club in Nixa, Mo. Smith was among a large group tied for 49th after the first day.

Central sophomores Tim Simmons and Jordan Sheets shot an 85 and a 94, respectively.

Glendale led the Class 4 team standings with a 309, two strokes ahead of Poplar Bluff.

Notre Dame sophomore Brett Slaten led the Bulldogs' trio of state qualifiers with an opening-round 77 in the Class 3 tournament at Deer Lake Golf Course in Springfield, Mo. Slaten is tied for 38th, nine strokes off the lead.

Brandon Pleimann shot an 86 for the Bulldogs and Austin Gelsheimer shot an 88.