Cockerill takes eighth in 4A golf

Carson High's J.T. Cockerill was still in the thick of the title chase until the last few holes before settling for eighth in the NIAA 4A State Golf Championships on Tuesday at Red Hawk.

Cockerill, a junior, had a final score of 154 (79-75) to finish within six strokes of state champion Adam Tebbs of Green Valley, who finished with a 148 (74-74). Fallon's Scott Smith finished one stroke back at 149 (78-71).

In the team standings, Green Valley won the state title with a 776 (408-368) and was followed by Palo Verde (804-412-392), Bonanza (805-420-385), Reno High (820-422-398), Fallon (839-437-402) and Coronado (841-442-399).

The lower scores on Tuesday could be attributed to better conditions, which were overcast with light winds. Monday's conditions were cold and windy with heavy rain showers.

"He was pretty much in there until the last three holes," said Carson coach Rod Butler about Cockerill contending for the title.

Cockerill opened strong on Tuesday with birdies on his first two holes and finished the front nine at even-par. "He didn't hit it particularly well, but he putted and chipped really well," Butler said.

On the back nine, Cockerill shot 3-over-par to finish with a 75. "The back nine, he was having difficulty off the teem," Butler said.

Among other finishers was Galena's Ryan Hill, who tied for 11th at 156 (80-76).

3A STATE

Fernley's Brandon Dalton shot a 3-under 69 to lead after the first round in the NIAA 3A State Championships at Dayton Valley Country Club. Lyon County and Northern Nevada was well-represented at top of the leaderboard.

Sparks' Greg Wenzel was second (73), Fernley's Matt Leestma was third (75), Dayton's Trent Wood was fourth (76) and Dayton's Kevin Goles and Yerington's Ryan Rife were tied for fifth (77).

In the team standings, Dayton still had a shot to take third heading into today's final round. Virgin Valley led with a 392 and was followed by Truckee (405), Boulder City (422), Lowry (425) and Dayton (429).

"We're right in there," Dayton coach Brad Wick said. "We feel pretty good about our position. Hopefully we can play a little bit better. I'm very happy with Wood and Goles."

Wick also said Dalton's score was impressive on the tough Dayton course. Other scores for Dayton were Shane Castro (83), Lyle McDougal (95), Andrew Palmer (97) and Brian Janas (113).