A year ago, Cathedral Catholic High School sophomore teammates Trevor Cox and Michael Riebe needed four extra playoff holes to determine the CIF San Diego Section boys golf individual champion. Cox won with a 4-foot birdie.
On a warm, slightly breezy Wednesday at Steele Canyon Country Club, Riebe took a giant step toward claiming this year’s title. He shot a 6-under 65 for a three-shot lead over Evan Liu of Torrey Pines (68).
Jay Leng Jr. of Torrey Pines and Reed Arnaldo of La Costa Canyon each shot 2-over 69s to make it four golfers in red figures. Kenyon Kahler of Carlsbad was fifth at even-par with a 71.
There were six players at 72, including Cox, Classical Academy’s Daniel Chazen and Helix’s Daniel Ho.
Chazen was the first-day leader last year, with Cox trailing him by seven strokes and Riebe by nine. Leng was a leader in the final round before being disqualified for a rules violation.
Cathedral Catholic leads the overall team competition with a 9-over-par combined score of five individuals. The Dons (Division 2) lead Torrey Pines (11-over, Division 1) in the overall team standings and Classical Academy (12-over, Division 2). Carlsbad (21-over, Division 1) is fourth overall. Led by Diego Vargas (73) and Ty Smock (74), Coronado leads Division 3 at 30-over. Smock shot a 4-under 32 on the back nine.
Torrey Pines has won eight consecutive section team titles and 13 of the past 14 years.
The section championships conclude Monday at Torrey Pines North. The top two teams, plus up to the next 12 individuals qualify for the SoCal Regionals on May 22 at Los Serranos in Chino Hills. The State Championships are May 29 at at San Gabriel Country Club.
