PINE GROVE - If the first tournament of the year was a round of golf, the Ironton Fighting Tigers were par for the course.

Turning in a solid initial performance, Ironton compiled a 311 team score to outdistance runner-up Meigs by 10 strokes and claim the Ironton Invitational Tournament championship Monday.

"It was a good start for us. We just have to get back to work. Everybody from top to bottom has something to improve upon. We'll just start there and move on," Ironton coach Jeff Kerns said.

Dennis Gagai fired a 69 for Ironton to claim medalist honors. Seth Christian carded a 76, Gavin Harbolt shot an 82 and Nathan Kerns had an 84.

Ironton also got an 87 from Jay Rudmann and Drew Sanders had a 92.

Coach Kerns said Gagai was in midseason form.

"Dennis played really well," Gagai said. "He was on his game today. We're not expecting him to play like that every time, but we're hoping he can be consistent all season."

Although it was a win, coach Kerns noted the Fighting Tigers need to be more consistent and continue to improve throughout the season.

"We had a couple of high scores, but it's the first tournament. We're capable of playing better," coach Kerns said.

Ironton plays at Elliott County, Ky., Thursday. Wednesday's match at Jackson has been postponed.

Ironton Invitational

Team Scores

TeamTotal

Ironton311

Meigs321

Portsmouth323

South Point324

West Union325

Portsmouth Clay332

Chesapeake345

Greenup County346

Gallipolis362

South Webster369

River Valley370

Fairland397

Individual Scores

Ironton: Dennis Gagai 69, Seth Christian 76, Gavin Harbolt 82, Nathan Kerns 84, Jay Rudmann 87, Drew Sanders 92.

Meigs: J. Venoy 74, Stewart 79, S. Venoy 83, Legar 85, Reed 93, Davidson 94.

South Point: Lewis 73, Hughes 81, Norris 83, McWhorter 88, Jones 87, Walker 91.

Chesapeake: P.J. Rase 74, Huff 89, , Angle 89, Copley 93, Scott 96, Kyle Rase 99.

Fairland: Leadmon 84, Perry 95, Franklin 107, Sowards 111, Earl 116, Ward 116.

West Union: Schneider 75, Lawless 77, Hacker 86, Richmond 87, Anderson 105, McCatty 118.

Gallipolis: Russell 81, Stout 91, Houck 93, Noe 97, Daval 102, Huater 106.

Portsmouth: C. Doll 75, Bedard 90, S. Doll 83, D. Chabot 83, N. Chabot 85, Covait 94.

Portsmouth Clay: Hines 75, Thoroughman 82, Pelfrey 86, Oliver 89, Keaton 98, Gray 109.

South Webster: Lawhun 88, S. Ramey 92, Jackson 94, K. Ramey 95, Haywood 96, McCallister 98.

Greenup County: Abdon 79, Gillum 84, Felty 87, Wright 87, Jones 101.

River Valley: Barker 88, Jagaers 92, Nolan 95, Stout 95, Burnette 103.