Garringer, Hunt boost Jay County (08/07/07)

MARION - Their overall score didn't change much, but their score certainly did.

With its full compliment of players for the first time this season, Jay County's girls golf team shot a 410 Monday to finish eighth at the Marion Invitational with a score of 410.

The host Giants won the tournament at 343, followed by Huntington North (349) and Pendleton Heights (363). The Patriots were ninth a year ago, but the 2007 team improved upon last season's score by 43 strokes in the tournament at Shady Hills Golf Course.

Freshman Cara Garringer, in just her fourth competitive round, and junior Jennifer Hunt, in her first action of the season, put together career-best efforts to support a fifth-place finish from senior Trisha Champ.

Garringer was second on the team with a 105, shooting consistent nine-hole scores of 52 and 53. She tallied back-to-back pars on the sixth and seven holes, then closed her round with a third par on No. 18.

Hunt was just one stroke behind Garringer as she shot 53 on the front and back nine. She had four bogies on the front nine and added three more, to go along with her lone par on the 13th hole, on the back.

Champ once again led the Patriots as she got off to a hot start and finished in a tie at 80 with Olympic Athletic Conference rival Katie Windlan of Anderson Highland. She posted pars on three of her first four holes, then put together a run of three birdies, a par and five bogies on holes 8 through 16.

She finished eight strokes behind medalist Katie Cain of Marion.

Brittany Schlater, also in her first action of the year, rounded out the team score with a 119.

Ivy Simons finished at 121.[[In-content Ad]]