A strong Day Two was needed by Lexington and Gilbert girls golf in their quest to repeat as state champions as the Chronicl went to press.

The Lady Wildcats were tied with Wando for fifth place after Day 1 of the SC High School League Class 5A tournament at the Country Club of South Carolina in Florence. They trailed top-ranked Blythewood, who shot an opening round of 8-over-par 296 for the lead.

Lower State champion Chapin was 17 strokes off the lead in second place. Dorman was in third (319), followed by TL Hanna (326) and the Lady Wildcats and Lady Warriors (334).

In the individual standings, Lexington’s Isabella Rawl was tied with St. James’ Adrian Anderson in second place at 3-under 69. They are a stroke behind TL Hanna’s Ivy Schulze.

Over in Conway, defending Class 3A champion Gilbert finished Day One in second place at 304. The Lady Indians were three strokes behind Chesnee. Gilbert’s Kennedy Gooding shot an under par 70 to place second behind Lady Eagles’ Sydney Roberts, who shot a 66. Visit www.lexingtonchronicle. com for final results.