The Montgomery County Wildcats were too much to handle in the Red Division of the Warrenton Invitational on April 14 at Country Lake Golf Club in Warrenton.

The Wildcats cruised to the eight-team division title by placing first with a four-player score of 339 in their first tournament of the season. MCHS won the division championship by 22 strokes over Fort Zumwalt North.

Four MCHS players earned medals. Senior Logan Hutcheson led the way with a third-place finish with an 81, followed by junior Keaton Reagan in fourth with an 81, senior Keenan James in 12th with an 87 and junior Alex Hartman in 15th with a 90.

After the tournament, MCHS coach Robert Ripperdan received the first-place plaque and medals during the awards ceremony.

“The guys played great from top to bottom,” Ripperdan said. “I don’t think I have ever seen a Class 2 team come with five scores under 100 and the fact that we beat some very good teams that we’re going to compete later on. It’s a good sign.”
Hutcheson, a state qualifier from last year, finished with two birdies and six pars in the par-71 course. He shot his birdies in the No. 4 and 13 holes, both were par-4 holes.

Reagan finished with 10 pars and a birdie in the par-3, No. 2 hole.

Also for the Wildcats, sophomore Rob Rodgers finished with a 98.

Ripperdan said he was pleased with the way his team performed despite chilly conditions.

“It was a little bit brisk this morning,” the coach said. “I saw a lot of people wear stocking caps. There were a lot of fans cuddling up and trying not to freeze to death. But as the day wore on, it was perfect weather. It showed up on the guys’ scores. They were challenged this morning in the first few holes, but as the day warmed up, they got hot.”

So far after three weeks, the Wildcats are off to a hot start. In addition to their Warrenton tournament title, they are also 13-0 in matches. They started their season on March 28 with a one-stroke victory in a quadrangular match against Hallsville, Winfield and South Callaway at Montgomery County Golf Club. MCHS had a six-stroke victory over North Callaway, Fatima and Missouri Military Academy on April 12.

“I’m beyond proud of these young men,” Ripperdan said. “We had challenging weather and we had a challenging schedule. We played some good teams and they answered every bell. The problem we have right now is trying to get everybody in the lineup.”

The Wildcats are scheduled to play a road match against Centralia on April 20. The following day, MCHS will play a quadrangular home match against Silex, Warrenton and Van-Far at 4 p.m. at the Montgomery County Golf Club.

Ripperdan has hopes for his team as its season comes down to its final month.

“Our goals right now are to finish in the top two in districts and get this team to state,” Ripperdan said.