COLLEGE PARK — Kent County freshman Quinten Joiner placed sixth in the Class 1A/2A high school golf tournament, falling back after locking into a two-way tie for second with Queen Anne’s senior Nate Smith after the first day of the Oct. 29-30 tournament at the University of Maryland course.
Christopher Newport commit Smith, who would briefly hold a share of the lead midway through the second day, was the runner-up with a 36-hole score of 146 — five strokes behind state champion Jack Geyer of C. Milton Wright.
Fallston’s Cam Konkle (76-71, 147) and South Carroll’s Patrick Carl (77-70, 147), both seniors, tied for third and Southern of Anne Arundel junior Winston Thomas (76-72, 148) rounded out the top five.
Then came Joiner (73-78, 151), who rallied with an even-par back nine on day two after what he described as a lousy first nine holes.
“I was out of sync in all phases of the game” on the front nine, Joiner told The Evening Enterprise.
“I’m really proud of how I battled back on the back nine. … I’m proud of how I played both days,” he said.
After the semifinal round on Tuesday, Oct. 29, Smith (36-37) and Joiner (39-34) were tied for second, each having carded a 2-over-par 73.
They trailed only Geyer (36-34), who led with a 1-under 70.
For the final round on Wednesday, Oct. 30, Geyer, Smith, Joiner and Konkle (38-38, 76) were paired in the same foursome.
Geyer, who has committed to NCAA Division I Loyola Maryland, finished with a two-day total of 1-under-par 141 to punctuate an unbeaten season (with two ties).
Kent County’s Joiner, 14, was one of only three freshmen among the 41 golfers to make the cut for the final round.
There also were 22 seniors, 13 juniors and three sophomores.
Joiner said he was disappointed “in the moment” after finishing out of medal contention, but “as I have gotten further and further from it, I realize what I’ve accomplished.”
“I finished strong,” he said.
And, “it was a great feeling to be playing on the biggest stage to represent my school.”