The Emery Spartans opened the golf season with a third place finish Thursday afternoon at the Palisade Golf Course in Sterling.

Grand easily finished with the top score of the meet with a 314, while also creating a cushion at the top of the region standings. Manti finished a distant second with 357, followed by Emery’s 386. Gunnison, San Juan and North Sevier rounded out the field of six.

Senior Race Nielson shot a team best 90 for the Spartans in the opener. Sophomore Oakley Toomer finished with a 93, while McCoy Holt shot a 95 and freshman Jordan Ekker ended with a 108. Deryk Fuller and Shaidyn Kilpack both shot a 109.

Holding a 14 stroke lead over Gunnison for third, the Spartans will look to get back into the mix for the region’s top spot when they continue the season Wednesday. Up next will be a trip to Soldier Hollow, the site of this year’s state competition.

Below is the complete Region 15 standings after the first meet of the season:

1- Grand- 314
2- Manti- 357
3- Emery- 386
4- Gunnison- 400
5- San Juan- 402
6- N. Sevier- 437