Linksters shine in local regionals

It wasn't the team performance that either Harrisburg or Eldorado were hoping for in Monday's respected regionals at both Carterville and Anna, but each squad will be well represented at next week's IHSA Class 1A and 2A Sectional.
In the 1A Regional at Union County Country Club in Anna, Trico took the team title after firing a 324. Chester came up second with a 328 and Anna-Jonesboro was third with a 332.
Eldorado just missed out on a Top 3 spot after finishing fourth with a team total of 338 and West Frankfort was fifth with a 365. Steeleville shot a 375, while Du Quoin (382), Vienna (392), Pinckneyville (402), Zeigler-Royalton-Christopher (405), Goreville (411) and Cobden (485) rounded out the field.
Individually, Noah Smith had the low round for the Eagles as he shot a 77, while Evan Coyle carded an 82 and Braden Unthank fired an 86. Smith finished in the top five overall and all three will represent the Eagles at next Monday's Sectional, being held at Franklin County Country Club.
Kaiden Lloyd netted a 93 for the Eagles', while Austin Willis (108) and AJ Hankins (115) both participated for the Eagles.
In the 2A Regional at Crab Orchard Golf Course in Carterville, Benton ran away with the team title, shooting a 315, while Carbondale (324) edged Herrin (325) for second place.
Marion finished with a 329 for fourth place, while Carterville (352), Massac County (356), Harrisburg (357) and Mt. Vernon (399) rounded out the field.
Benton was led by senior Brad Hammond, who shot a 74 and freshman Cy Norman fired a 75. Collin Miller (80) and Brett Merkel (86) rounded out the top four scoring, while Payton Sieveking (90) and Jared Shaw (91) also participated for the Rangers.
The Bulldogs are sending three to next Monday's sectional at Charleston Country Club as Andrew Bittle punched his ticket after shooting a 86 and both Ashton Hall and Grant Wilson each shot an 87.
Also advancing as individuals from Crab Orchard are Marion's Issac Hammet (76), Brett Lewis (81) and Karsten Stotlar (83), along with Massac County's Hayden Summers (82) and Noah Matesevac (88). Mt. Vernon's Simon Wilson (85) and Carterville's Spencer Brown (86) also move on.