Kluesner, Smith tie in junior tour stop

Rivals during the high school season, recent Central graduate Zach Kluesner and Jackson senior T.J. Smith shared the top spot in the Tour division for 16- to 19-year-old boys Wednesday in a Gateway PGA/Southeast Missouri Junior Series event at Bent Creek in Jackson.

Kluesner and Smith each shot 79. Jack Connell, another Central golfer, and Jake Black came in two shots back at 81.

Other 18-hole winners included Kassie Walker (16-19 regular), Lindsay Riffle (16-19 Tour), Tanner Werner (12-13 regular), Brett Slaten (14-15 regular), Austin Hunter (16-19 regular) and Zack Stricker (14-15 Tour).

Zach Downing (10-11), Jesse Hency (12-13), Kate Edwards (12-13) and Ryan Richardson (14-18) were winners in nine-hole competition.

Results

BOYS

10-11 (9 holes) -- Zach Downing 56, Luke Kinder 59, Gabe Wheeler 66.

12-13 (9 holes) -- Jesse Hency 43, Justin Lynn 44, Vance Toole 52, Evan Deere 52.

14-18 (9 holes) -- Ryan Richardson 44, Michael Weber 66.

12-13 (18) -- Tanner Werner 73, Eric Hayes 85, Zach Vaeth 98, Carr Vernon 98.

14-15 (18) -- Brett Slaten 84, Cole Viers 96, Brock Walker 98.

16-19 (18) -- Austin Hunter 81, Taylor Bond 83, Blake Martindale 87.

14-15 tour (18) -- Zach Stricker 84, Chance Holden 87, John Bowman 92.

16-19 Tour (18) -- T.J. Smith 79, Zack Kluesner 79, Jack Connell 81, Jake Black 81.

GIRLS

12-13 (9 holes) -- Kate Edwards 56, Caroline Harding 58.

16-19 (18) -- Kassie Walker 103, Emily Matthews 104

16-19 tour (18) -- Lindsay Riffle 92.