State Golf Update: Murphy Finishes with 77, Winds up Tied for 11th

Fellowship Christian School senior Tripp Murphy carded a five-over 77 to wrap up the two-day 36-hole GHSA Class A Private School Golf Championships at Heron Bay Golf & Country Club in Locust Grove with a four-over 148.

Murphy, who opened the tourney with a 1-under 71 on May 21, finished in a tie for 11^th place with Kenny Duffin of Hebron Christian Academy (75-73).

Parker Rostowsky of Mount Paran Christian School and William Sluder of Brookstone finished the tournament at five-under par 139 to lead the field of 80 golfers.

“It was a grind today,” FCS golf coach Mike Kinsey said. “It was definitely a tale of two days. One thing about Tripp is he goes hard until the very end. He is never one to quit, and he didn’t today. He improved dramatically over his four-year FCS career. I am so proud to be his coach and watch his progress. He represented us well at state. To God be the glory. Now it’s on to Oglethorpe for Tripp.”

(Photos by Mike Kinsey)

State Golf Update: Murphy Cards 1-Under 71 in Opening Round

Fellowship Christian School senior Tripp Murphy finished with five birdies en route to a 1-under par 71 on May 21 in the opening round of the two-day 36-hole GHSA Class A Private School Golf Championships being played at Heron Bay Golf & Country Club in Locust Grove.

The tournament wraps up on May 22. Murphy enters the final round tied for sixth, two shots off the lead. Three golfers opened the tourney at 69 – Parker Rostowsky of Mount Paran Christian School, William Sluder of Brookstone and Bailey Means of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.

Jay Spivey of First Presbyterian and HIES’ Cannon Crane both fired 70s to share fourth, while Murphy, Luke Dasher of First Presbyterian and Will Kahlstorf of Prince Avenue Christian all had 71.

“Tripp had a disappointing bogey, bogey finish,” FCS golf coach Mike Kinsey said. “But, shooting under par for his first 18 holes at state is pretty strong.“

Murphy, who finished with four bogeys on the day, carded a 34 on the front nine and a 37 on the back nine.

“He played an amazing first 16 holes at 3-under,” Kinsey said.

He’ll tee off at 7:50 a.m. on May 22.

(Photos by Mike Kinsey)

State Golf Preview: Murphy Face Field of 80 Golfers

For only the second time in school history, a golfer from Fellowship Christian School has advanced to the state tournament.

Senior Tripp Murphy will play in the two-day, 36-hole GHSA Class A Private School Golf Championships at Heron Bay in Locust Grove May 21-22. There will be a total of 12 teams competing (72 golfers) plus eight individuals that includes Murphy. He tees off at 7:50 a.m. on May 21.

Murphy’s 9-hole season average was a 36. He led the Paladins to an 8-1 record, shooting a 31 and 32 along the way.

At the Region tournament held on April 30 at Cobblestone Golf Course, Murphy shot a 76 to qualify for state.

Of those 80 golfers competing at the state tourney, 19 of them shot 76 or better at their respective Region Tournaments.

“This makes for a very strong field,” head coach Mike Kinsey said. “But, the game of golf is very unpredictable. Anything can happen on any given day. Tripp and I have talked about his mental approach for those two days. We both agreed there was more pressure to make it to state [than playing in it]. Now that he is there, the plan is to relax and enjoy 36 holes of golf.”

Murphy has been a very consistent golfer this season.

“Tripp has incredible physical skills,” Kinsey said. “He has length off the tee, a great short game and solid iron play. He is mentally tough and a fierce competitor. We are both looking forward to him representing Fellowship at the 2018 golf state championship.”

The only other time an FCS golfer competed at state was when freshman Anna Davenport competed at State as an individual and finished sixth overall with an 86) in 2012. She was the Region champion that year.

(Photo by Mike Kinsey)

Swartz Claims Third Place in Long Jump at State Meet, Aycock Eighth in Shot Put

Like many sports, inches or seconds can separate track & field competitors.

Senior Cameron Swartz wrapped up her Fellowship Christian School career with a third-place finish in the long jump at the GHSA Class A Private Track & Field Championships that were hosted by Berry College in Rome on May 11. The three-day meet began on May 10 in Rome.

In her final high school meet, Swartz reached 17 feet in the final of her three jumps to take third place by just two inches. It was her best career finish at the state level in her third trip to the state meet.

Swartz was fourth in the long jump at states in both 2016 and 2015. She did not place in the triple jump but competed in 2016. She did not compete in the 2017 Sectionals, so she did not advance to states.

In a field on nine competitors, senior Tad Aycock placed eighth in the shot put in his first trip to the state event.

This was Aycock’s first season of track & field at FCS.

In Rome, Aycock threw three times. His best toss was a personal-best 45 feet, 9.5 inches.

“It was a great meet for both of them,” head coach Greg Mayhue said. “They both performed well to wrap up their FCS careers.”

(Photos submitted by Greg Mayhue)

Swartz, Aycock to Participate in State Track & Field Meet May 11

Seniors Cameron Swartz (long jump) and Tad Aycock (shot put) will represent the varsity track & field squad from Fellowship Christian School at the GHSA Class A Track & Field Championships being hosted by Berry College in Rome on May 11. The three-day meet began on May 10.

“It would be great for both of them to go out with PRs,” track & field coach Greg Mayhue said. “That would put them both in a great position for wonderful results.”

They both compete in a field of nine performers in their events in Rome.

Aycock has reached state in his only track & field season at FCS. Aycock advanced with an eighth-place finish among nine shot put performers at the Sectional meet held on April 28 at Landmark Christian School. At the Area meet held at Whitefield Academy on April 17, Aycock finished third in the shot put.

“This is a great opportunity for him to compete at the state meet,” head coach Greg Mayhue said. “He did well at Sectionals and Area.”

Heading into the state meet, Aycock has been throwing consistently around 44 feet. “Tad was around 40 in early March, but then reached 42, 44 and then finally 45,” Mayhue said. “If he can reach 46 in Rome, then he is certainly in the mix for a top five finish. He has natural talent and strength, but has developed a strong technique. He is a versatile athlete.”

While it’s Aycock’s first trip to the state meet, it’s Swartz’s third trip. She was fourth in the long jump at the GHSA meet in both 2016 and 2015. She did not place in the triple jump in 2016 at states.

Swartz placed third out of nine performers to advance in the long jump at this year’s Sectional meet. At the Area meet, Swartz placed second in the long jump and was fourth in the triple jump to advance to Sectionals in both events.

“Cameron has a great shot to finish in the top three at states,” Mayhue said. “If she can get a good jump off early it will take the pressure off. If you get a good jump off early, you can relax a bit in the next two rounds.”

For example, she scratched in her first two jumps in the triple jump at Sectionals and did not qualify for states with her third jump.

“Getting that mark in the sand early is key,” Mayhue said.

During her track career at FCS, Swartz was the Area champion in both the triple and long jumps in 2016. She was also second in the long jump at the 2017 Area meet. She did not compete in the 2017 Sectionals, so she did not advance to states.