ECHO – McLoughlin’s Leo Saldana shot a career-best 79 to take medalist honors and lead the Pioneers to the boys team title at the Echo Hill Tournament at Echo Hills Golf Club.
Saldona shot par on 11 holes and had a birdie on hole 17.
Prairie City’s Sawyer Quinton finished second with an 81, while Mac-Hi’s Michael Partin was third with a season-best 82.
“It wasn’t a Sawyer day,” Mac-Hi coach Jeff Bishop said. “When that happens, you have to take advantage of that and beat them. Leo was pretty pumped. His heart was racing. He had to make a 2-foot at the end, and said he was never so nervous for a 2-foot putt. He works hard. He’s there after practice chipping and putting and it pays off.”
The Pioneers shot a 338 for the title, 10 strokes better than runner-up Echo/Stanfield (348). Prairie City was third with a 364. Union/Cove was fourth (388), while Heppner was sixth (415). Pilot Rock and Weston-McEwen did not field complete teams.
Landon Norton led the Rockets, tying for 16th with a 96.
Theo Sprenger led the TigerScots, tying for 23rd with a 105, with teammate David Murphy right behind at 25th with a 106.
