Manz, Cheek lead HCHS girls past LC by 32 strokes

 HARLAN (April 9) -- The Harlan Community girls golfers improved their team score by 24 strokes from meet one to meet two, defeating Lewis Central 210-242 last Tuesday on a pleasant late afternoon at Harlan Golf and Country Club.
 Junior Haley Manz paced the Cyclones (1-1) with a medalist round of 49 vs. the Titans, highlighted by a par-birdie combo on the par-3 fifth hole and the par-5 sixth. HCHS sophomore Jocelyn Cheek was the runner-up medalist, shooting a 50 that included one par and no scores worse than double-bogey. Cheek nearly holed a chip shot on the No. 5 green.
 The Cyclones also counted a 51 by Kayla Powers and a 60 from Ashley Hall. LC was led by Taylor Elam’s 51.
 “We have a younger, inexperienced team, but we have a group that wants to work to get better,” said HCHS coach Willie Baughman.
 HCHS opened the season April 5 with a 234 team score at Denison’s Majestic Hills and lost by eight strokes to the host Monarchs despite Cheek’s medalist round of 46 on the back nine. Cheek birdied the par-3 16th hole. Manz shot a 56 and Hall turned in a 62.
 Denison was led by Tessa Petersen’s 52, which earned runner-up medalist honors.