Cardinal Gibbons dominates 2-A Regional

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 6, 2008 1:49 PM

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Ryan Lavelle seized medalist honors with a 3-under par 69 and led Cardinal Gibbons to a dominating performance in the 2008 N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 2-A men's east golf regional on Monday.

The Crusaders claimed their third consecutive team championship with an astounding four-player total of 292 on the par-72, Lane Tree Golf Club layout.

McMichael earned runner-up honors with a 305 in team play, while Roanoke Rapids and West Stokes shared third at 309. Roanoke Rapids, however, had the fifth-best individual score and grabbed the third spot for next week's NCHSAA Championships at Long Leaf Golf and Country Club.

Lavelle posted four birdies on the front nine, and eagled the par-5, No. 14 hole on the back nine. Teammates Brandon Wright and Chris House each complemented Lavelle, a senior, with an 18-hole score of 74. Chris Blake contributed a 75.

Roanoke Rapids senior Colby Lyles won the second hole in a playoff for second place among individuals. Carrboro junior Rich Leeper edged West Stokes senior Kyle Leonard in a three-hole playoff to determine the regional's third individual spot. West Stokes' Josh Hudgins and Eastern Guilford's Brad Lake also qualified as individuals.

North Lenoir's Michael Hardy competed in the playoff with Leeper and Stokes, but was eliminated on the first playoff hole. His tee shot ended up in the trees on No. 18 and his fairway shot landed in the frontside bunker. Hardy two-putted for bogey.

The Hawks, the Eastern Plains 2-A Conference regular-season champions, ended up fifth overall with a 315 in team competition.