Dylan Lillard ties low round of AAA state championship in Manchester

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Dylan Lillard hated his first round of the Class AAA state tournament on Tuesday.

So he shot the low score on the course Wednesday.

Lillard, a junior at Walker Valley, shot a 4-under-par 68 at Willowbrook Golf Course which put him at 3-over 147 for the two-day state championship in Manchester.

"I played ugly yesterday, but I got it back together today," Lillard said over the phone. "I didn't have any three-putts today."

Lillard tied the low single-day score of the tournament on Wednesday, but placed 21st as an individual. Jacob Sherlin of Hendersonville won medalist honors in a sudden-death playoff with Cameron Smith after they both shot 4-under 140.

"I'm happy I got it back," Lillard said. "I wish I could play the first round over again."

Farragut won the team title at 3-over 579 which beat Brentwood by three and Hendersonville by eight strokes.

Cleveland senior Heidi Barringer finished her final state tournament earlier in the day. She shot a 3-over 75 on Wednesday and finished at 11-over 155 which tied her for 12th place as an individual.

"A 75 ties for her low 18 of the year," Cleveland coach Nick Cantrell said over the phone. "I was proud that she was able to do that in her last even. Heidi hit the ball well, and she did a great job of getting up-and-down for par several times today."

Cleveland freshman Rheagan Hall tied for 14th after shooting 78 on Tuesday and 79 on on Wednesday.

"For a freshman to go out in state and have two rounds in the 70s is impressive" Cantrell said. "For her to get that kind of experience is helpful and hopefully this is the fist of many times at state for her."

Bradley Central sophomore Olivia Williams shot an 86 in both rounds of her first state tournament. She tied for 36th place. Aubree Jones of Brighton won medalist at 5-under 139, and Rossview won the girl's team title at 2-over 290.

"Olivia has good ability, but I think this was a little intimidating for her with it being her first time at state," Bradley Central coach Don Burke said over the phone. "She had bad holes, but overall, she hit the ball well. It was a very good experience, and she's looking forward to getting back here next year and making a better showing."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6484. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.

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