Independence’s A.J. Marcinko did something at the Division III Pine Hills Sectional Golf Tournament no other freshman accomplished.
He advanced to next week’s district tournament at Tannenhauf Golf Club in Alliance.
“I’m very excited for me but I wish the entire team qualified for districts,” said Marcinko, who shot a 91 to finish 13th overall.
Only the top three teams and top three individuals not on a qualifying team advanced to the district tournament.
Marcinko shot a 47 on the front nine and finished the 18-hole round with a 44 on the back.
“It was just average,” he said of his score. “I’m happy I got better as the round progressed. Course management just kept me out of serious trouble. I had a horrendous start to my round, but I started to grind and keep focus one shot at a time.”
He hopes to maintain that focus next week at Tannenhauf.
“I hope to play the best round that I canand represent Independence the best of my ability,” he said.
Independence placed fourth as a team with a 378.
Ryan Gibson (14th, 92), Hugh Corrigan (15th, 93), and Michael Jedrezejek and Mark Tripodi (102) also competed for the Blue Devils.
