15 and counting for Spiess

DELAWARE, Ohio – Madison Spiess became the all-time girls wins leader on the GJT by virtue of her 2-shot victory at Delaware Golf Club amid cold, wind and rain.

Spiess fired rounds of 76-76—152 for her 15th GJT win, a total that also ties her with Daniel Wetterich for most all-time wins for both boys and girls. The victory also marked Spiess’ second this month in as many appearances.

At Delaware, Spiess trailed Anna Ritter by two shots entering the final round and pulled even through Sunday’s front nine before closing with six straight pars in earning the victory.

Ritter finished at 74-80—154 for sole possession of second place while Ashlesha Abhang fired rounds of 79-78—157 for third.

Rounding out the top five in the girls 15-19 division were Jami Morris at 78-82—160 and Haley Barclay at 79-85—164.

Finney nabs first win in Boys 16-19

At Darby Creek Golf Club in Marysville, Ohio, Jackson Finney picked up his first GJT win, posting scores of 67-72—139 in the Boys 16-19 division.

Finney started the event Saturday by playing the first six holes in 4-under-par including an eagle at the par-5 6th. He would post three more birdies on the back nine in taking a 2-shot lead into Sunday’s final round.

Drew Salyers gave chase on Sunday, having pulled from four shots back to within one following Finney’s bogey at the 12th. Finney would respond with a birdie at 14 and sew things up when Salyers took a bogey at 15.

Salyers finished at 71-71—142 to claim sole possession of second place, followed by Dylan Stevens (71-72—143) and Alex Eickhoff (70-73—143) tied for third. Ali Khan took rounded out the top-5 with rounds of 73-71—144.

Wotherspoon picks up third straight win

Rylan Wotherspoon fired rounds of 70-75—145 at Darby Creek to pick up his third straight win this season and fifth overall at Darby Creek.

Wotherspoon trailed Clay Pendergrass by one shot heading into Sunday and closed with 15 pars in a steady final round to win by one stroke. With Wotherspoon and Pendergrass tied through 10 holes Sunday, Wotherspoon grabbed the lead with a bogey at 10 while Pendergrass made double bogey. Both players posted all pars the rest of the way.

Pendergrass shot 69-77—146 to finish in a tie for second place with Jack O’Donnell, who shot 74-72—146.

Beni Long placed fourth with rounds of 73-74—147 while Joshua Qian rounded out the top five at 72-77—149.

Coccia dominates Girls 14-and-Under

Anna Coccia rolled out to an early lead and cruised to an 8-shot victory in the Girls 14-and-under division at Delaware Golf Club.

The victory was Coccia’s second in two weeks and third on the GJT this season.

Her opening-round 77 staked her to a 5-shot lead over Elizabeth Eberle and following a birdie at No. 6 Sunday, Coccia pushed her lead to 11 and would not be threatened the rest of the way. She finished at 77-84—161 while Eberle claimed sole possession of second place with rounds of 82-87—169.

Abby Thompson rounded out the top 3 with scores of 94-86—180.

Rodgers eagles his way to Boys 13-and-Under title

Jake Rodgers posted two eagles over a 3-hole stretch on the closing nine of his 8-shot victory in the Boys 13-and-under division at Delaware Golf Club.

Rodgers opened with a 71 Saturday to take a 5-shot lead over Drew Miller then lapped the field in Sunday’s second round despite an early double bogey. His lead had been trimmed to just three shots heading to the back nine, but Rodgers took control with a birdie at 11 then eagles at the par-5 13th and 15th holes.

Rodgers finished the tournament at 71-72—143 while Miller slid back to a fourth-place finish with rounds of 76-76—152. The victory was Rodgers’ third of the season.

McKean Collins posted rounds of 79-72—151 to finish in a tie for second place with Stephen Ma, who shot 78-73—151.