By Steve Williams
Two local teams – the Christian Academy of Knoxville boys and the Grace Christian Academy girls – won TSSAA Division II Class A state championships last week at the Sevierville Golf Club.
For the CAK Warriors, it was their 10th state title in school history. For the Lady Rams, it was their first.
Christian Academy also ranks second in state titles in TSSAA history and trails only Chattanooga Baylor, which had 20 team crowns coming into this year’s tournament.
Longtime prep coach Donnie Cooper saw his team overcome a first-round deficit and pull away in the second round on the River Course. Cooper’s son, Aiden, led the way in the final round with a one-under par 71 and teammate Roddy Sturgeon carded a par 72.
Overall, Tyler Stafford shot a team best one-over 145 (71-74).
“It really just came down to putting,” said Stafford. “In the end, we made a lot of putts as a team and everybody just came together. We were locked in on our back nine.”
Stafford also added: “We were kind of doubted by everybody like FBA. They were talking to us, but I think that just fueled us and might have helped us win and gain momentum.”
The Warriors’ foursome also included Ryan Miller with a 79-79.
CAK trailed first-round leader Jackson Christian by four strokes, but pulled out the win with its 601 team total (306-295). Runner-up Jackson Christian (302-304) totaled 606 and First Baptist Academy (304-304) came in third at 608.
“After Hole No. 14 in the final round, I thought we were playing very well,” said FBA Coach Johnny Cox. “We were in the lead and from 15 in we didn’t execute. We didn’t make putts that we should’ve made and the other teams did,” said FBA Coach Johnny Cox, who led his team to the state title last year.
The Eagles were led by Alex Green (71-74-145).
Rounding out the team scoring included Battle Ground Academy (613), Franklin Christian (629) and Northpoint (632).
Franklin Road Academy senior Walker Webb was the individual medalist with a 7-under-par 137.
