By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Covington Catholic came out on top in a close battle for the team title in the Region 7 boys golf tournament on Tuesday at Lassing Pointe Golf Course. The Colonels took first place with a team total of 307 that was just three stokes better than runner-up St. Henry.
CovCath’s team earned a return trip to the state tournament as the regional champion. This is the third time in four years that the Colonels have won the title and the program’s 40th regional championship overall.
The top scores Tuesday were posted by a pair of sophomores. Rylan Wotherspoon of Cooper was medalist with a 3-under 68, followed by Dominic Paterno of CovCath with a 73.
Wotherspoon, who finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the all-state point standings, is one of the region’s seven individual state tournament qualifiers. The others are Mason Butler, Ryan Butler and Kevin Tobergte of St. Henry, Chris Harpum and Ben McDaniel of Ryle and Dakota Finn of Boone County.
Justin Gabbard and Luke Muller of Highlands were among the seven individual state qualifiers in the Region 8 tournament on Tuesday at Eagle Creek Country Club.
Gabbard placed third with a 74 and Muller tied for fourth with a 75. Highlands freshman Joel Craft lost a playoff for the final state tournament berth after shooting a 79.
The boys state golf tournament will be played Oct. 10-12 at Bowling Green Country Club.
Region 7 at Lassing Pointe Golf Course
Top 5 teams — Covington Catholic 307, St. Henry 310, Ryle 316, Conner 335, Walton-Verona 336.
Top 10 individuals — Rylan Wotherspoon (Cooper) 68, Dominic Paterno (CovCath) 73, Mason Butler (St. Henry) 74, Ryan Butler (St. Henry) 75, Chris Harpum (Ryle) 75, Dakota Finn (Boone County) 76, Ben McDaniel (Ryle) 77, Ian Asch (CovCath) 77, Kevin Tobergte (St. Henry) 78, Mathew Marlette (Villa Madonna) 80.
CovCath golfers — Dominic Paterno (73), Ian Asch (77), Christopher Fitz (78), Harrison Brunsman (79), Ben Sweeten (85).
Region 8 at Eagle Creek Country Club
Top 5 teams — Grant County 311, Henry County 321, Highlands 322, Owen County 336, Pendleton County 341.
Top 10 individuals — Alex Hadden (Henry County) 70, Tyler Mitts (Grant County) 72, Justin Gabbard (Highlands) 74, Braden Howard (Owen County) 75, Luke Muller (Highlands) 75, Jake Wells (Bourbon County) 76, Joe Hamilton (Owen County) 78, Kyle Lewis (Grant County) 79, Isaac Klempner (Henry County) 79, Joel Kraft (Highlands) 79.