INTERLOCHEN — There’s no need for Grace Slocum to take her foot off the gas pedal, especially when she’s trying to drive toward a state championship in her senior season.
Her journey started off on a winning note as the Traverse City St. Francis Gladiator won the Traverse City West Lady Titan Invite at Interlochen Golf Course on Friday.
Slocum fired a two-over 73 to win going away, besting the runner-up — Cadillac’s Grace Drabik — by 15 strokes.
Slocum carded two birdies, tallying 3s on the 310-yard par-4 fourth hole and the 288-yard par-4 11th.
Drabik came in second with an 88 followed by Viking teammate Samantha VanBrocklin and Petoskey’s Riley Barr both tied for third at 91.
Traverse City Central’s Rylee Ellison was fifth with a 93. Traverse City West’s Damien Gagnon took sixth a stroke back at 94. Petoskey’s Sara Hasse and Alpena’s Grace Bouchard were tied for seventh at 95. West’s Addy Shark at 97 and Alpena’s Jami Richards at 98 rounded out the top 10 individuals.
The team win in the season-opening tournament went to Petoskey, buoyed by Barr and Hasse as well as Emma Berg (100) and Anna Hasse (110) to combine for a 394.
Cadillac was five strokes back in second place with a 399. Behind Drabik and VanBrocklin were Lillian Shankland (109) and Audrina Runyon (111).
The Titans and Wildcats tied for third at 420. West’s other two top scorers were Hannah Brown (114) and Sofia Hoag (115).
Central took fifth with a 426. Backing up Ellison were Susie Hebert with a 102, Regan Feeley with a 114, and Maggie Gano with a 117.
Despite Slocum’s winning performance, the Gladiators finished outside the top five in sixth place with a 451. Also scoring for St. Francis were Sydney Shacklette with a 113, Laurel Walter with a 117 and bother Olivia Padisak and Grace Platt with a 148.
The season continues with the two-day Bob Lober Classic at Crystal Mountain on Tuesday and Wednesday.
CROSS COUNTRY
Central boys, West girls win Trojan Twilight 2-Mile
TRAVERSE CITY — The Traverse City West Titans swept the top seven spots and took eight of the top 10 in Friday’s girls race of the Trojan Twilight 2-Mile at Rasho Farms.
Abby Veit won at 12:33.1 followed by teammates Tessa Mascari (12:44.6), Bailey Wenzlick (13:10.6), Reese Smith (13:11.5), Alyssa Fouchey (13:15), Bridget Raven (13:28.3) and Peyton Tucker (13:40).
Traverse City Central’s Ariana Rajah broke up the streak of Titans in eighth place at 13:42.8 followed by West’s Leighton Basile (13:49.9) and Central’s Sienna Cobb (13:51.9) to round out the top 10 on the girls side.
The Titans took the team title as well, scoring 15 points. Central was second with 50, and Lake City was third with 85.
In the boys division, Caleb Keller led Central to a team win as he took the gold in 10:34.2. Fellow Trojans Ian Boss (4th, 11:06), Jack Steen (5th, 11:06.8), Lawrence Cubitt (8th, 11:30.6) and Luke Byland (9th, 11:40.1) were key in the victory.
West’s Liam Wierzba took second individually with a 10:41.5 followed by Mesick’s Kyle Redman in third at 10:48.4. Other top-10 finishers were West’s Aidan Simrau (6th, 11:18.4), Mesick’s Ty Redman (7th, 11:26.4) and West’s Finn Frost Grayson (10th, 11:42.7).
Central won with 27 points followed by West with 46, Mesick with 79, and Lake City with 90.
BOYS SOCCER
Leland 5
Calvin Christian 0
Leland: Brian Mosqueda 2 goals; Adrian Spencer 1 goal, 1 assist; Landon Allen 1 goal, 1 assist; Max Waldrup 1 goal, 2 assists, Jose Roman 1 assist; Ravello 8 saves.
UP NEXT: The Comets (1-0) travel to North Muskegon on Tuesday.
Harbor Springs 1
Riverview 1
UP NEXT: The Rams (0-0-1) head to Charlevoix on Thursday.
Newaygo 4
Kingsley 3
UP NEXT: The Stags (0-1) host the Soo on Tuesday.
Petoskey drops 2 at round-robin
PETOSKEY — The Petoskey Northmen fell 3-0 to Fruitpot and 4-0 to Haslett in Friday’s round-robin tournament at home.
The season-opening losses drop Petoskey to 0-2. The Northmen look to rebound Saturday when they head to Boyne City.