Mules by a dozen

~ Jackson's T.J. Smith tied for medalist and led the Indians to a second-place finish.

T.J. Smith of Jackson tied for medalist honors with a 4-over-par 76 on Monday in the 10-team Notre Dame Invitational at Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson.

Tyler Hillis and Danner McCauley of Poplar Bluff also shot 76.

The powerhouse Mules eased past the field with a score of 315. The Mules have finished in the top five in Class 4 each of the past three years and own 16 top-four finishes and five individual state champions. Jackson was next with 327, Sikeston and Dexter tied for third at 365, and host Notre Dame rounded out the top five with 367.

"Poplar Bluff, they're just phenominal," Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim said.

Poplar Bluff placed all five of its golfers in the top 10. Trent Hillis was tied for sixth with an 81, and Corey Poteet and Zack Stricker each shot 82 to tie for ninth.

Brian Hill of Jackson was one of four golfers to shoot under 80. Hill was two strokes behind the three leaders with a 78. Josh Wheeler tied for sixth for Jackson with an 81.

Zach Richardet, all-state last year for St. Vincent, also tied for ninth with an 82. St. Vincent was sixth in the team standings.

Notre Dame's top finisher was John Oliver, who shot an 88, Tim Simmons led the seventh-place Tigers with a 90, Chris Streiler led Perryville with a 93 and Clay Obergoenner led first-year program Saxony Lutheran with a 103.