In what many observers consider the toughest district in golf, the Blacksburg High School golf team has their sights set on repeating as River Ridge District champions and returning to the Group AA state tournament this fall.

Last season, the Bruins won the regular season crown, finished second in the district and region IV championships and came home third in the state tournament. In addition, they have finished third or better in the past seven seasons and also own three state crowns (2006-08).

Returning to the greens for coach Rick Mattox is senior Ryan Mondy, sophomore Ty Olinger, junior Kyle Stone, sophomore Katie Turk, junior David Tolley, junior Kelby Zeiger and junior Chris Long.

Mondy was the district's Player of the Year last season. In addition, he finished third in the state, was the 2012 Player of the Year in the Roanoke Hall of Fame and was selected to the All-Timesland first team.

Olinger was a second-team all-district selection, finished 10th in the state, was named to the All-Metro Team and was an All-Timesland second team selection.

Mondy and Olinger will carry the load for us and we will be as successful as they are," said Mattox. "Stone, Turk and Tolley must step up if we want to make it out of the district."

New to the varsity program are juniors Andrew Kim and Zach Gillespie, along with freshmen Michael Brenner and Tori Armstrong.

As what to expect from this year's team, Maddox replied, "We are very thin and inexperienced."

Blacksburg finished fifth in the Heritage Invitational and fourth in the Metro last week. They open district play this afternoon at The Meadows.