McKay, Lions Rally to Win SPC Golf Title

Duff McKay led St. Mark’s to a 4A team championship at the SPC boys golf tournament on April 30 at the Golf Club of Houston.

McKay, an Indiana commit, survived a three-hole playoff to earn the individual gold medal for the Lions. Two teammates, Sam Merryman and James Hoak, also finished in the top 10.

St. Mark’s rallied from a five-stroke deficit in the final round to surpass runner-up Houston Kinkaid, finishing with a team score of 305-303—608, or 21 shots better than a year ago at the conference tournament.

Kinkaid was the eight-time defending champion and had won 11 of 12 crowns since the Lions last brought home the trophy in 2011.

Also at the SPC spring championships in Houston, Greenhill senior Chris Williams was a triple gold medalist on the track. The distance specialist won the boys 800, 1,600, and 3,200-meter races, in the latter breaking his school record of 9 minutes, 56.3 seconds.

Oliver Hill won the shot put for the Hornets by clearing 50 feet. Bronze medalists for the Greenhill boys included Laird Burke (100), Kaden Castillo (discus), Aidan Rischer (pole vault), and Alex Sharman (triple jump).

St. Mark’s earned two medals, as Mateu Parker was second in the pole vault and Noah Roby placed third in the 1,600. Houston Episcopal swept the boys and girls team titles.

In girls events, Greenhill sprinters Nia Harrison and Rian Kinsler each won multiple medals. Harrison was first in the high jump and third in the 200 and the long jump. Kinsler finished first in the 200 and second in the 100.

Both also were on the 4×400 relay quartet that won gold for the Hornets, along with Lilly Williams and Eden Collins. Williams claimed a gold medal in the 800 and Jane Hark soared to bronze in the pole vault.

Emily McLeroy was a double medalist for Hockaday, claiming bronze in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles. Also for the Daisies, Jordan Lacsamana placed second in the 800, Sena-Ter Asom was second in the long jump, Caroline Cohen came in third in the 400, and Annabel Monteiro was third in the triple jump.

In Class 3A events, Episcopal School of Dallas senior Brooklyn Singer took home gold in the 100 and 200, and also anchored the winning 4×100 relay for the Eagles. Her relay teammates included Cheney Mathes, Nahla Whittier, and Gracie Nealon.