Ritz advances to state: Lady Pioneers take third in Region 4 tournament

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Lady Pioneer golfer Tori Ritz finished with an 84 at Thursday’s Region 4-AAA girls golf tournament, qualifying for a trip to the state championship tournament in the process. (Rob Nunley photo)

Warren County High School golfer Tori Ritz advanced to the state golf tournament Thursday, finishing among the top individual performers at the Region 4-AAA tourney at the Bear Trace Golf Course in Winchester.

The sophomore came in with a score of 84, and helped lead the Lady Pioneers to a third-place finish in the team competition. WCHS turned in a 182, tying Blackman for third. Cookeville won the event with a 166, while Oakland was second with a 174.

The top team, as well as the top four individuals not on that winning team, moved on to the state tourney.

“I’m extremely proud of all of these girls,” said WCHS coach Keith Maxwell. “They’ve come a long way this year, and they really wanted to win bad, they just fell a little bit short.

“Every one should be proud of Tori, and proud of all of them, because they’re a really good, talented group of young ladies.”

In addition to Ritz, Columbia’s Sarah Hunt, Oakland’s Leigh Wilkins and Blackman High School’s Jennifer Miles reached the state as individual competitors. Hunt came in with a 75, while Wilkins shot a 79 and Miles had an 83.

The state golf tournament is scheduled for Sept. 30 through Oct. 1 at the Bear Trace in Crossville.