Lexington Christian Academy is halfway home to repeating as boys' state golf champion.
The Eagles, led by senior veterans Hager Collins and Chandler Fischer, had four players break 80 in the first round of the Leachman/KHSAA State Tournament at Bowling Green Country Club on Tuesday.
LCA's team total of 306 gave it a six-shot lead on Paducah St. Mary (312) and a seven-shot edge over Madison Central (313) going into Wednesday's final round.
Christian Academy of Louisville (315) is in fourth place, followed by St. Xavier (317).
West Jessamine (324), one of the tournament favorites, finds itself 18 shots out of the lead.
Stephen Stallings of St. X and Nick Thompson of St. Mary shot even-par 72s to share in the individual lead.
LCA was hoping its experience would pay off this week.
Collins and Fischer, who helped lead the Eagles to the title last year, each shot a 75 on Tuesday.
Scott Barnhart had a 77 for LCA, and Will Handshoe added a 79. Ethan Sprang's 85 did not count in the team score.
Madison Central, which beat LCA for the region title, was led by region medalist Kyle Congleton's 76. John Cornelison had a 77, Carter Skipworth 79 and Dylan Kelley 81.
West Jessamine, which won six invitational tournaments during the regular season and shot the lowest region score, had only one golfer break 80 — sophomore Fred Allen Meyer carded a 73.
The Colts' region medalist Connor Haas had an 80, Travis Rose an 83, Wes Skipworth an 88 and Byron Speech an 89.
Three Lexington golfers qualified for the state as individuals. Lexington Catholic's Matthew Mahle shot a 75, Henry Clay's Preston French a 78 and Chandler Morgan an 81.
