EHS, HV gear up for conference match

By Wes Holtsclaw
STAR CORRESPONDENT
wholtsclaw@starhq.com

   A day away from their conference showdown, the Elizabethton and Happy Valley golf squads met for a practice round on Wednesday at the Elizabethton Golf Club.
   The Cyclones took the practice round with a team total of 163 to the Warriors' 187 total.
   The highlight of the day was the 34 performance with four birdies from Daniel Sochalski. Sochalski took a few days off and returned with the same spark.
   "I played pretty good today after a few days rest," said Sochalski. "I had four birdies, two bogeys and a few chip shots. I thought my shot on seven was off."
   Daniel carried Elizabethton in the practice round, as Jared Collins withdrew from the afternoon workout. Sochalski believes Collins will help them tremendously in the conference championship.
   "As long as our two man (Collins) can get there, we should have a good shot at the conference. I'm just glad I did well after a few days off. Warriors Path is an easy course, I hope to shoot par."
   Dustin White exploded onto the scene for the Warriors with a 39 on the evening. White is expected to be a frontrunner in today's action.
   "This year, I feel better about the conference," said White. "It's going to take a lot to beat Sochalski. I will truly have to play my best game to top him.
   "Matt Cornett has done well all year, and Kyle Kirwin from UH is consistent. It will be hard tomorrow and at the district. It will be one of the toughest years."
   White and Sochalski was joined on the course by Jeremy Barnett in the first group; Barnett tallied a 48 on the front nine at Elizabethton.
   Eric Carter had the third best score of the day with a 40 for the Cyclones. Teammates Bradley Brown and Jared Thomas delivered a 44 and 45, respectively, while Craig Shaw shot a 49.
   Matt Howell took the second spot for the Warriors with his 46. Nathan Howell, Ricky Morgan and Justin Davis rounded off the afternoon with their 54, 56, and 60 performances.
   Sochalski will be heavily favored going into tomorrow's conference meet at Kingsport's Warriors Path Golf Course in the singles round.
   Look out for strong performances from White and Elizabethton's Jared Collins, who withdrew from Wednesday's practice round. The first group tees off at 10:20.