Staff report
Roy Dixon’s fourth-place finish helped Salisbury’s golf team take second in the 2A Midwest Regional held at nearby Warrior on Monday.
North Lincoln, paced by medalist Miller Capps’ 69, won the regional with a 307 total. Dixon had a 2-over 73 for the Hornets, who finished at 313 and beat third-place Hibriten by nine strokes.
Salisbury’s next two scorers were Alex Nianouris (78, tie for ninth) and Randy Almeida (80, tie for 15th). Teammates Alex Lee and Clark Alcorn tied for 25th place with a pair of 82s. Troy Beaver shot a 78 but inadvertently signed for the wrong score and was disqualified.
“We had two goals,” Salisbury coach Dale Snyder said. “One was to win and the other was to qualify for next week. We’re still in it, we just got a different color trophy.”
The top three schools and top three individuals not from one of the qualifying teams earned berths in next week’s state championships to be held at Longleaf Golf and Country Club in Southern Pines.
Almeida, who posted a 38 on the back nine, is a senior. Dixon is a sophomore, and the rest of Salisbury’s team is made up of freshmen.
Dixon shot a 35 on the front side and was at 1 under before he made a triple bogey on the final hole.
“He’s just striking the ball great,” Snyder said. “He’s doing all the little things. He’s been struggling around the greens a little bit, but he’s hitting the ball as well as I’ve seen for someone his age. The last month or so he’s really been playing well.”
The only other county competitor was North Rowan’s Miller Sokolowski, who had a 108.
Capps beat West Davidson’s Justin Clement by one shot, and Maiden’s Josh Morgan placed third with a 72. North Lincoln’s other scorers were Zach Lawing (76), Russ Piercy (78) and Haynes Brotherton (84).
The 2A championships will be played next Monday and Tuesday.
“We’re all there, you start at zero, and you have two days to decide it,” Snyder said. “We have a shot at it, and for a young team that says a lot.”