By Cort Reynolds

FREMONT__The Ada High School boys golf team finished as runner-up in the second of three Blanchard Valley Conference tournaments on Monday, August 17 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fremont.

The second BVC tournament was held in wet but playable conditions. The Bulldog linksters have come in second out of nine teams in both league tournaments.

Powerhouse Van Buren captured the second tourney decisively with a 306 total. The Black Knights also won the first tournament. The Bulldogs were 48 shots back at 354 strokes. 

Riverdale came in third (361), followed by Arcadia and Leipsic (363), Elmwood (366), McComb (380), Arlington (385) and Pandora-Gilboa (450)., 

Ada improved to 26-3 overall this season with the result. The Bulldogs have finished second in all three 18-hole tournaments they have played, including both BVC events. 

“Our team started out struggling on a confusing course that most had never played before,” said head coach Tod Schmidt. “To the players’ credit, they pushed through some adversity, and several ended up with respectable scores. 

“Without the mental toughness they demonstrated, second place out of nine teams would not have been possible,” he noted.

Ada senior Brody Rister finished fifth at the tourney with an 18-hole score of 42-37=79. “Brody shot an impressive 37 on the back nine,” Schmidt observed. 

Sophomore Arden Shook ended up 10^th after carding an 85, sinking three birdies in a five-hole stretch.

Case Vieira posted a round of 94. Brooklyn Rister shot 96 as the fourth Ada scorer. 

Max Baumgartner registered a 97, and senior Lawson Klingler added a 106.

VB’s Jake Schroeder won tournament medalist honors by firing a 69.

“Although our 26-3 record at about the halfway mark is commendable, this team is still improving and has not really hit our stride,” said Schmidt.

“I expect to see our scoring drop into the 330’s when we play to our ability,” he continued. “The kids are working hard at improving, wanting to be better. But regardless of our score, good or bad, I know they are representing the school, the community and their families in a way we should be very proud of.”

Ada travels to Tamarack Golf Course to take on Lima Senior Thursday, its lats match before school starts August 24.

BVC #2 Top 10:

1. Jake Schroeder (VB) - 69 2. Reagan Wenzinger (LEIP) - 70 3. Aiden Cline (ARC) - 74 4. Andrew Hibbard (VB) - 76 5. Brody Rister (ADA) - 79 

6. Peyton Beilharz (VB) - 80 T7. Reid Cramer (VB) - 81 T7. Mason Wiener (ELM) - 81 9. Nickolas Reinhart (VB) - 83 10. Arden Shook (ADA) - 85