Joey Mario leads Harper Creek to third straight All-City boys golf tourney title
BATTLE CREEK - Harper Creek's Joey Mario finished second at last year's All-City boys golf tourney. And, if he ever forgot that fact, there were people around to remind him.
"All year, everybody has called me second place. That became my nickname - second place," Mario said.
Well, you can't call him that any longer.
It was "first place" Joey Mario who was match medalist at the 2024 All-City boys golf tourney in high school golf action at Marywood Golf Course on Thursday.
The Beavers' Mario shot a 74 to win the annual event and help Harper Creek to its third city team title in a row.
"I wanted to win, that was a goal after last year. But mostly, I wanted to shoot 74 or better on this course and I shot 74, so I'll take it," Mario said.
Harper Creek had a team score of 318 to win the All-City title with Lakeview second at 371 and Pennfield at 444.
"One of the things I have been trying to do since coming here, was to look at the tradition and look at the past and really try to build a program," said second-year Harper Creek coach Tony Evans. "This is what we represent with Harper Creek golf, and set the bar as high as we can. And I think it has been a good culture change for us."
Harper Creek had four of the top five finishes in the tournament as the Beavers dominated the field. Following the 74 by Mario, Harper Creek's Evan Munoz was second with an 80 and the Beavers' Quinn Barrick was at 81 for third. Harper Creek's Spencer Denney, who was match medalist a year ago, sending Mario was second, finished with an 83.
"I know winning this has been on Joey's mind this year. It has become a bit of a rivalry with Spencer finishing first last year as city champ. So I think that was a little fuel for Joey this year, a bit," Evans said.
Klay Helner was the top Lakeview golfer, taking fifth with a round of 84.
Also making the All-City top 10 were Harper Creek's Colton Beard (sixth, 86), Harper Creek's Jake Schragg (seventh, 88), Lakeview's Eric Ryan (eighth, 89), Pennfield's Nolan Badger (ninth, 94) and Lakeview's Joshua Neal (10th, 88).
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Mario leads Harper Creek to third straight All-City boys golf title
