SHELBY — Lexington held off Ashland to win Monday night’s Shelby Invitational on a blazing Monday afternoon at Shelby Country Club.
The Arrows finished second with a team total of 183. Senior Kira Moore led the charge, firing a 37 for medalist runner-up honors.
“I’m OK with my score, but I know I could have shot better,” Moore said. “My round was kind of bipolar. I was all over the place.”
Klaira Paramore carded a 45 for Ashland, followed by Alaina Reed (48) and Livia Sponsler (53). Emma Packard (55) and Lydia Wells (68) played for the Arrows, but their scores didn’t figure into the final team score.
The nine-team tournament was originally scheduled as an 18-hole event, but Shelby athletic director and tournament organizer Pat Lewis trimmed it to nine holes in an effort to adhere to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Five teams, including Lexington, teed off in the morning flight and the four remaining teams went off in the afternoon.
The tee time didn’t matter at all to Lexington’s Mandy Ruminski. She felt right at home.
A senior, Ruminski fired an even-par 36 to take medalist honors and lead Lady Lex to the team title.
Ruminski grew up at Shelby Country Club — her father, Brad, was the teaching pro before taking the teaching pro job at Oak Tree. The younger Ruminski led Shelby to back-to-back state runner-up finishes in 2017 and 2018.
“I’ve played here so many times,” Ruminski said. “I actually feel like I should have played a little better, but I’m still working out some kinks.”
Lexington was without head coach Mike Kathrein and his daughter, Lainey, Lady Lex’s No. 2 golfer. The younger Kathrein was not feeling well.
“We were a little short-handed today, but I thought we played pretty well,” Ruminski said. “Not all the girls have a lot of experience, but we’ve played in a lot of tournaments early in the season.”
Hannah Smith backed Ruminski with a 43, while Alyssa Wolfe carded a 46 Trynity Wolfe shot a 49. Hannah Whitney (53) and Sophia Masi (56) also teed it up for Lady Lex.
Bellevue was third in the final teams standings with a 198, followed by Sandusky Perkins (214) and Port Clinton (217). Norwalk St. Paul (230), Ontario (233), Norwalk (235) and Galion (254) rounded out the field.
For Ontario, Brooklyn Adkins led the way with a 44. She was followed by Samantha Fraley (56), Maddie Seibel (61), Brooklyn Wharton (72) and Anzaya Estep (75).
Julia Conner led Galion with a 59. Izzie Willacker (63), Ellexia Ratcliff (65), Missy VonHoupe (67) and Ava Niedermier (74) rounded it out for the Tigers.
