As the 2010 high school golf season gets underway, Blacksburg is the hands-on favorite to win the River Ridge District this season and make another run for the Group AA state title. Here's a look at all the teams in the district this season.

Blacksburg Expected To Repeat

The Bruins, who finished second last season and fell short of winning it's fourth-straight Group AA title, are the hands-on favorite to repeat as district champs this fall.

Blacksburg will be led by Jake Mondy. The senior, who will continue his college career at Auburn, won the VSGA Junior Stroke-Play tournament last week, as well as winning two RRD crowns and one Region IV title,

Other members of the team include sophomore Ryan Mondy, Jake's brother, along with junior Sam Jones, senior Jack Prater, junior Mike Yourshaw, junior Jack Jennings and junior Tobin Weiseman.

"We will go as far as Jake [Mundy] can carry us," said coach Rick Mattox. " I'm also looking for great things out of our juniors and Ryan [Mundy], our sophomore."

The coach went on to say, "We will be working on our short game and putting. Putting wins tournaments."

The Bruins will also be building for the future, as they plan to carry 3-5 freshmen on their roster.

"We will be competitive this season," added Maddox.

Should Blacksburg make it to the state tournament this season, they will hold an advantage, as they will be hosting the event on their home course at the Blacksburg Country Club on Oct. 11-12.

Cave Spring To Be Young In 2010

With only two seniors on a roster which contains five sophomores and five freshmen, the Knights will be one of the youngest teams in the district this season under first-year head coach Stephen Biscotte.

Biscotte, a science teacher at Cave Spring, is the third coach at the school in as many years.

The Knights, who finished third in the Group AA state tournament and second in both the Region IV and River Ridge District last season, lost star performers Matt Harmon and Jack Wilkes, who are heading to Radford University and University of Richmond, respectively.

Looking to provide the leadership this year will be seniors Erik Hart and David McPeak.

The sophomore class will consist of Drew Board, Nick Brediger, Cody Caldwell, Jesse Hart and Teddy Melnick.

New to the team this year are freshmen Meagan Board, Drew Lagen, Alex Line, Grant Snyder and Kyle Utterback.

When asked about this year's team, coach Biscotte replied, "We are young, talented, have a positive attitude and good team support."

Christiansburg Building For The Future

With only one senior on this year's squad, the Blue Demons will be young and counting on some of its younger players to step up, as they look to improve on last year's fifth place finish in a competitive River Ridge District.

Ross Carroll is the lone senior back this season. Returning juniors include Matt Moshella, Jude Cochran and Lucas Weaver, along with newcomers freshman Aaron Roberts and sophomore Jordan Alderman are being counted on to help lead the Blue Demons.

"We will need our juniors to step it up this season and be more consistent," said second year head coach Jim Hatch.

While the Blue Demons may be young, they are definitely building for the future.

"We had 14 kids come our for golf and I kept all of them," added Hatch. "We are building for the future."

This year's roster also includes senior Hollie Herndon, junior Zach Demme, sophomores Braxton Price and Caleb Caldwell, freshmen Ryan Woolwine, Baily Williams and Dillion Hanks, along with eighth-grader Brian Carroll.

"We will be strong around the greens with our chipping and putting," said the coach. "While being young, we are not as consistent as I would like for them to be as our weakness."

Hidden Valley Has High Expectations This Fall

With their top four seniors and three juniors returning to the links this season, the Titans have high expectations on making some noise this year.

"We have very high expectations for the season and the players understand that no single shot can be taken for granted," said coach Brian Harris. "After all, we are in the most competitive districts in the state."

Returning seniors include Brad Elder, Alex Taylor, Taylor Walker, Steven Tirico and Carter Wright. Both Elder and Taylor were both regional qualifiers last season.

"Our top four returning seniors are a dynamic group of golfers with talent and leadership abilities", said the coach.

Returning juniors include Scott Helgeson, Sara Moir and Tim Yang.

"Our three returning juniors each have the ability to go low and have been dedicated members of the team for the past two years," stated Harris.

New faces to the Knights' squad include freshmen Keith Otto, Sean O'connel, John Craghead and Tyler Wiilams.

"A strong showing of freshmen golfers this year gives our team a bright future and rounds out the personalities in the locker room," added Harris.

Coach Harris went on to say about this year's team, "We look for lots of competition for our starting positions, which will bring out the best in us,"

Pulaski County To Count On Seniors To Lead Young Team

The Cougars will be looking for seniors Chase Dunnigan and girls' state-qualifier Madison Smith, along with junior Carter Brookman to lead a young team this fall.

Salem Returns Experience This Season

With six returnees, including a lone senior, the Spartans are hoping to improve on last year's third place finish in the district.

Returing to the links this fall are senior Parker Davis and sophomores Andrew Butts, Will Chisom, Alex Hart, Austin Smith and Garrett Sweeney.

Photo of Blacksburg's Jake Mondy. (Photo by Jon Fleming)

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