SM-Tn Sports
For the third time in as many years, Summertown’s girls left WillowBrook Golf Club in Manchester as the TSSAA Small Class state champions.
The Lady Eagles shot a second-day 142 Wednesday to finish the 36-hole event with a 289, 38 strokes better than second-place Adamsville.
“It’s amazing. It’s been an amazing run,” Summertown coach Jon Campbell. “I’m extremely proud, not only as a coach, but as an uncle and a father. We’ve gotten better as a team. We were 1-over (par) for two days as a team. I never thought we could get to that.”
Karlie Campbell and Lanie Campbell – the coach’s daughters — posted matching 1-under 71s Wednesday to place second and third individually for the tournament. Karlie finished at 143, five strokes behind Gordonsville’s Sophie Linder, and Lanie at 146.
Adamsville’s Karson Adkins placed fourth with a 71-78—149, with Summertown senior Kaley Campbell shooting an 80-75—155 for fifth place.
“Kaley’s been a true leader,” the coach said of his niece. “In four years, she finished third, first, third and fifth. That’s pretty amazing on her part. They’ve all put a lot of time and effort in. I’m just proud for them. Kaley finished fifth and we didn’t use her score either day. That’s where we’re lucky to have been.”
Summertown’s boys, making their first state tournament appearance, finished fifth with a 700. Signal Mountain won the boys team competition with a 628, followed by Kingston (641), Stewart County (645) and North Greene (676).
Cole Campbell, tied for third through 18 holes, carded an 80 Wednesday to finish at 154 – good for 10th place – and lead the Eagles. Cascade’s Evan Woosley-Reed, with whom Campbell was tied, rallied for a second-day 69 to finish at 1-under 143 for the individual title.
“Up to (hole No.) 13 on the back, he was right there,” the coach regarding his son, an eighth-grader. “He was within two or three (strokes) of the lead. But he went out of bounds on 13 and 13, he bogeyed a couple coming in.
“The sky’s the limit for him. We’ll definitely build around him. It’s the first time they’ve gone as a team, and they didn’t fare as well as they wanted, but most of those guys are basketball, baseball guys. They got a taste of it.”
Eric Wilkinson shot a 178 to tie for 37th place, with Harrison Gobble a stroke back and tied for 40th. Drake Blackwood finished with a 193.
“The expectation for them will be the same as for the girls – you go every year, and you eventually get to winning it,” Jon Campbell said. “It’s the same thing we’ve told them the last two years: The season ended today; next year starts tomorrow. We’re going to rest a little and get back to work.”