Pluchinsky has lead in OPGA Publinx

Staff report

SUNBURY

Former South Range High School and Youngstown State golfer Brandon Pluchinsky has a three-stroke lead halfway through the Ohio Public Golf Association Publinx Tournament at North Star Golf Club.

Pluchinsky shot a second-round 68 for a two-day score of 140 at the resort north of Columbus. He opened with a 72 on Tuesday. Gabe Reynolds (72-71—143) of Ashland and Adam Fluty (69-74—143) of New Albany are tied for second entering today’s third round.

The tournament has a distinct YSU and Mahoning Valley flavor even beyond Pluchinsky, as eight of the top 33 players are either YSU golfers or players from the area who will soon make their debuts with other college golf programs.

Other Penguins in the field include Dayton native Steven Sveda (72-75—147), Hubbard graduate Justin Hallapy (76-73—149), Newton Falls graduate Jacob Harrah (74-75—149), Canfield High School graduate Dominic Carano (74-76—150), Poland graduate Jason McQuown (77-74—151) and Champion graduate Thomas Lydic (76-77—153).

Sveda, Hallapy and Lydic are seniors on the YSU men’s golf team, which is coached by Tony Joy. Carano and McQuown are sophomores and Harrah is a redshirt freshman.

All of them made the cut, as did Warren JFK High School graduate Ryan Fowler (77-76—153), who attends Palm Beach (Fla.) Atlantic University.

Canfield graduate Vince Leone (85-85—170), a Malone University sophomore, missed the cutt, which was at 166.

YSU redshirt freshman Nathan Meeker (85-88—173) also missed the cut at North Star.