WEST PORTSMOUTH - For the Ironton Fighting Tigers, reaching their goal was almost as easy as setting a goal.

Ironton turned in a one of its best team performances of the season with a 301 score to place second in the Division II sectional golf tournament Tuesday at Shawnee Golf Course.

"Our goal was to finish in the top two. We pretty much did what we wanted to do," Ironton coach Jeff Kerns said.

"You don't win a medal or a plaque or even a pat on the back. You just advance, which is what we did."

The top four teams advanced to the district tournament to be held at Cook's Creek Monday. The top two teams at the district advance to the state tournament.

After champion Piketon at 294 and runner-up Ironton at 301 came West Union with a 304 total. Portsmouth was fourth with a 313 score.

"Everyone shot 10

to 15 strokes better than last year. I don't see it as the course, I see a lot of good golfers and a lot of good golf team," coach Kerns said.

"Remember, Portsmouth and Piketon went to the state last year and they have everyone back," coach Kerns said.

Dennis Gagai fired scores of 35 and 36 to finish with a 1-under par 71. He had the third best score overall.

Nathan Kerns was next for Ironton with rounds of 37 and 38 for a 75 total. Seth Christian was at 76 with two rounds of 38, Gavin Harbolt shot 41 and 38 for a 79 score and Jay Rudmann carded a solid score of 81 with rounds of 37 and 44.

South Point was fifth with a 338 team score. Although the team did not advance, Josh Lewis shot a 78 and qualified for the district as one of four individuals.

Rock Hill finished at 377. Nick Howard shot an 89 to lead the Redmen.

Fairland was two strokes behind Rock Hill with a 379.

Matt Leadman had an 88 to pace the Dragons.

The Fighting Tigers are now 78-5 on the season.

Divsion II Sectional

Golf Tournament

Team

Scores

Piketon 294: M. Crace 33-35=68, C. Robbins 38-40=78, A. Robbins 37-37=74, W. Robbins 44-41=85, J. Allman 36-38=74.

Ironton 301: Dennis Gagai 35-36=71, Nathan Kerns 37-38=75, Seth Christian 38-38=76, Gavin Harbolt 41-38=79, Jay Rudmann 37-44=81.

West Union 304: Lawler 38-39=77, Schneider 38-38=76, Ricmond 36-34=70, Hacker 41-46=81, Anderson 52-48=100.

Portsmouth 313: C. Doll 36-38=74, S. Doll 40-43=83, Z. BeDard 34-41=75, N. Chabot 37-44=81, D. Chabot 51-44=95.

South Point 338: J. Lewis 36-42=78, Z. Norris 41-44=85, A. Hughes 47-43=90, T. Walker 44-45=89, C. Porter 43-43=86.

Portsmouth West 341: Simpson 42-41=83, O'Rourke 42-42=84, Cooper 37-50=87, Bond 43-47=90, Brandonburg 43-44=87.

Meigs 344: J. Venoy 42-39=81, Stewart 42-41=83, Legar 46-47=93, J. Venor 39-48=87, Bookman 49-50 99.

Eastern 349: Mitchell 40-38=78, Meadows 38-42=80, Jodrey 47-48=95, Spilred 47-49=96.

Waverly 356: Ramey 41-37=78, Fyffe 41-48=89, Gullion 47-46=93, Boggs 46-50=96, Blanton 46-50=96.

Wheelersburg 365: Carrington 42-45=87, Morrison 45-45=90, Floyd 43-47=90, Guiley 47-52=99, Warner 45-53=98.

Gallipolis 374: Russell 42-42=84, Noe 44-43=87, Stout 51-60=111, Hunter 45-47=92, Houke 58-53=111.

Rock Hill 377: Nick Howard 46-43=89, Michael Williams 46-52-98, Nick Bryant 46-49=95, Nathan Davenport 46-51=97, Daniel Daily 49-47=96.

Fairland 379: Matt Leadman 48-40=88, A.Berry 44-49=93, T. Perry 49-51=100, Earl 45-53=98, Franklin 51-60=111.

River Valley 379: Jagers 47-49=96, Barker 45-52=97, Stout 47-45=92, Nolan 48-46=94, Markum 48-55=100.

Minford 382: Burchett 46-38=84, J. Johnson 43-45=88, Zempter 55-50=105, Stimpert 49-56=105, T. Johnson 57-56=113.

Northwest 392: Eichenlaub 51-51=102, McCain 43-43=86, Crabtree 49-56=105, Hill 49-50=109, Ralstin 51-57=108.