All three Bradley county golf programs recorded victories Thursday as the District 5-AA slate got underway.
Picking up their initial wins of the campaign, Cleveland double dipped in a three-way match at Springbrook Golf Club in Niota, getting past McMinn County and Sequoyah.
Meanwhile, the Walker Valley boys and Bradley Central girls prevailed in a trimatch with Rhea County at the Flagstone Golf Club, in Cleveland.
After struggling some in early season 18-hole tournaments, the Raider squads put together strong nine-hole tallies.
The Cleveland boys fired a 157 team total, dropping the Cherokees (162) by five shots and the Chiefs (188) by 26.
The Lady Raiders won a tight 90-94 battle with Sequoyah, while Mcminn isn't fielding a girls' squad this season.
Coach Lamar Mills got a couple of even-par half rounds from senior Henry Brown and sophomore Dalton Franklin, tying for low-medalist honors with 36s.
Sophomore Brody Williford helped out with a 3-over 39, while senior Nolan Lowden capped the victory with a 40.
Sophomore Matt Miolen and senior Carter Pierce both shot 45s in support.
For the Lady Raiders, three-time TSSAA State Championship qualifier Emma Claire Smith led the way with a 5-over 41 for low medalist honors.
Junior Ava Robbins carded a 49 to give the Cleveland girls their first win of the season win, while sophomore Zoie Stinnett posted a 52 in support.
Despite giving their top four Stallions the day off, back-to-back tournament champion Walker still got four scores under 40 for a 151 aggregate team tally, while the Bears weren't far behind at 154 and the Golden Eagles posted a 157.
Showing depth and consistency the Mustangs saw sophomore Malachi Maples and senior Eli Bain leading the way with 1-over 37s.
Junior Cason Lannom was right on their hooves with a 2-over 38, while Luke Finnell capped the winning tally with a 3-over 39. Isaac Sausville shot 45 in support.
The top two low scores in both the boys and girls matches Thursday were posted by linskters wearing Black-and-Gold, including a trio breaking par.
Bear newcomer Ethan Johansen, a senior home-schooler, earn low medalist honors with a 2-under 34, while classmate Jaxon Chapman was nipping at his heels with a 1-under 35.
Juniors Andrew Suttles and Jacob Rayfield rounded out the Bear tally with 42 and 43 respectively, while classmate Andrew Walker shot 46 in support.
Senior Bradon Reel and junior Eli Mickel topped the Eagle tally at even-par and a 2-over 38. Junior Jamison Knight added a 40, with senior Brody Cummins carding a 43.
In the girls' action, the Bearettes outshot both the Lady Mustangs and Lady Eagles by 13 strokes, posting a 3-over-par 75.
Bradley junior Colby Ann Turner, a 2023 TSSAA State Championship participant, led the ladies with a 1-under 35 for the low medal award.
Classmate Addie Geren capped the Bradley victory with a 4-over 40, tying for second low-medalist honors with Rhea junior Alyssa Stinnett.
Bearette senior Gracie Sermons wasn't far off the pace with a 42, which was the fourth lowest tally of the day among the girls.
Three-time state qualifier Ainsley Oliver led the Lady Mustangs with a 43, while fellow seniors Kylie Parks added a 45, with Charlee Snyder carding a 49 in support.