Group AAA state golf first round

The two-time defending state champion Falcons are in the running, fifth overall with a cumulative score of 307 and trailing the region champion Knights by one shot.
Thanks in large part to senior Brinson Paolini, who managed a 70 despite rough conditions at the Independence Golf Club, Cox is in the hunt for a third straight state title.
Paolini was only one of three golfers to shoot under par during the opening round of play, an opening round plagued by early morning frost and chilly temperatures.
As for the Knights, Wade Wawner was the top individual with a round of 73, three strokes behind Paolini and five shots off the lead held by Freeman's Matt Sizemore, who blistered the course with a four under 68.
Langley holds the overall team lead with a cumulative total of 302, followed by James River at 303 and Westfield at 304.
Among other area golfers in the individual competition, Cox's Chris Valianos shot 73, Hickory's John Dawson shot 76, Ben Hunter of Lakeland finished with a 78, an 82 for both Alex Gylfason of First Colonial and Chris Greenfield of Princess Anne, followed by a pair of Hickory Hawks, Lauren Coughlin with an 87 and Hunter Spencer with an 88.