MHSAA Division 2 golf state finals: Justin Steinman leads DeWitt in opening round

Justin Steinman of DeWitt shot a 69 to sit second individually after the opening round of the MHSAA Division 2 golf state finals at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University. He trails leader Tristan Pohl of Freeland by two strokes. DeWitt sits sixth in the team standings with a score of 314, while Grand Rapids Christian leads the teams with a score of 300. Other notable performances included Myles Smith (DeWitt) tied for 10th, Ben Rottman (Lansing Christian) tied for sixth, and Christian Helzer (Grand Ledge) in 25th.

Steinman is heading into the final day of his high school golf career in contention for a state title. The DeWitt senior’s round has DeWitt in sixth place with a team score of 314. Grand Rapids Christian is atop the leaderboard after shooting a 300. DeWitt also has senior Myles Smith in the top 10 individually. Smith is tied for 10th after shooting a 74.

St. Johns is 15th in the standings after shooting a 330 as a team. Elijah Schultz and Aidan Wirth each carded rounds of 81 to lead St. Johns. Lansing Christian’s Ben Rottman is tied for sixth after the opening round at Forest Akers West. Rottman had a round of 80 and is six strokes behind leader Giovanni Paluch of Alcona.

Lansing Christian is ninth as a team with its score of 350. The Pilgrims are 19 strokes behind leader Muskegon Western Michigan Christian. Lansing Catholic is tied for eighth after the opening round of play with a team score of 334. The Cougars are 20 strokes behind leader Grand Rapids West Catholic.

Carter Tribell is tied for 22nd after finishing with an opening round score of 81 for Lansing Catholic. Bath’s Max McCallister leads the area individuals and is 17th after carding a round of 80. Bath shot a 345 as a team and is in 15th place. Grand Ledge senior Christian Helzer is 25th after the opening round of the state finals at the Katke Golf Course. Helzer had a round of 75.