Ancer qualifies for state tourney

SAN ANTONIO -- Sharyland's Abraham Ancer fired a final-round 70 on Thursday at the Region IV-5A boys golf tournament at Pecan Valley Golf Club to earn a berth in the Class 5A state tournament.

Ancer, who shot an opening-round 73 on Wednesday, was 1-under par on the front nine Thursday then shot even-par on the back nine. He won a playoff with Corpus Christi Ray's Daniel Sciantarelli for third place.

"He played real well (Thursday)," Sharyland coach Fernando Rodriguez said. "He putted well. He had a couple of long putts which he made to save par. Overall, he played good. He was consistent (Thursday)."

Austin Westlake won the team title by a whopping 22 strokes. Westlake fired a two-day total of 578 to cruise past second-place San Antonio Reagan (600).

Sharyland (618) finished sixth in the 16-team tournament. Brandon Reyna, who was tied for third entering the final round, shot 77 to finish at 147 and in seventh.

Brendan Redfern and Tim Mitchell of Austin Westlake each shot 140 for the tournament to force a playoff for first-place medalist honors. Redfern slipped past Mitchell in the playoff to win gold.

At the Region IV-4A tournament at the Golf Club of Texas, Edcouch-Elsa shot a final-day 328 to finish its season with a two-day total of 663 and a 10th-place finish. The Yellowjackets were led by Nathaniel De Leon, who carded a 79. Nick Rios shot 82, Mike Rios 84 and Matthew Caceres 83.

"We didn't do too well, but it was a little bit better than (Wednesday)," E-E coach Jorge Benavides said. "It was hard for them to keep their focus knowing they're not going to win a state title. Overall, it was good. I'm just happy to see them give it a good run."

Alamo Heights won the 4A event with a total of 608 to edge Lake Travis (610). Corpus Christi Miller's Vance Cavazos fired a two-day 143 to top Lake Travis' Adam Wennerstrom for first.