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CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- The 68th NYS Boys’ & the 3rd Girls’ 14U Championship kicked off on Monday morning at Eagle Crest Golf Club. With 43 golfers in total, 34 in the Boys’ division and 9 in the Girls’ division, they teed off with tee times starting at 7:30 am. 

Related: Championship Central / Results / Photos / Preview

In the Boys’ field, it was Francisco Cupp of Saratoga Golf and Polo Club leading after round one for the second consecutive year in this tournament. 

Last year, Cupp finished runner-up to Tanner LaTorre at Green Lakes State Park Golf Course. Cupp tied for the low round of the day with Maddie Chang in the girls division, posting a round of 68, 4 under par. Cupp fired in five birdies with one of them on the 18th hole to end his round and have a two-shot lead going into the final round tomorrow. 

Behind Cupp is Braeden Lee, of NYSGA Youth on Course, who dropped in four birdies on his day with a round of 70 two under par, and will start the chase two shots behind Cupp tomorrow morning. Tied for third and sitting at one-over par for the championship are both Palmer Vetri, of Youth on Course - MGA, and Brayden Thomas, of Drumlins Golf Club, with rounds of 73. Wrapping up the top five is Jerry Guo, of Harrison Meadows Country Club. Guo carded a round of 74, two over par.

TJ Lee, of Hudson National Golf Club, is right behind Guo, at three over par. Behind Lee is a two-way tie for seventh place with Padraic Schamberger, of NYSGA eClub - Western NY, and Dylan Suchak, of Transit Valley Country Club, both with rounds of four over, 76.

Finishing the top 10 with five players tied at five over par, Ryan Choi, of Youth On Course - MGA, Jaxon Wong, of Youth On Course - MGA, Michael Jordan, of Crag Burn Golf Club, Vincent Romano, of NYSGA eClub - Capital Region, and Cooper Lovely, of USGA/NYSGA GC all finished their first rounds with a score of 77.

Play resumes tomorrow with tee times starting at 7:30 am and running until 9:40 am. Eagle Crest Golf Club played at 6,068 yards and a par 72 for the Boys’ field. 

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In the Girls’ field, Maddie Chang, of MET PGA Junior Golf Club, leads the way going into the final round tomorrow morning. Chang, making her NYS Championship debut, showed out, with five birdies and a single bogey on the scorecard. Chang finished round one with a score of 68, four under par, and will look to hold that lead tomorrow to claim the 3rd NYS Girls’ 14U Junior Championship.

Right behind Chang is Natalie Wasik, of Lockport Town and Country Club, by one stroke, looking to defend her title. Last year, Wasik claimed this championship, which was held at Green Lakes State Park Golf Course. Wasik fired in five birdies and an eagle on hole 9 Monday morning. Wasik finished at three under par with a score of 69.  

Hailey Yap, of Youth On Course - MGA, finished in solo third place with a round of 73, one over par. Two shots behind Yap is Elliana Kent, of Beaver Meadows Golf Club, posting a score of 75, three over par. Wrapping up the top five is Reagan Paolini, of RDGA Junior Membership, at four over par, 76.

Tee times for the girls’ field begin at 9:20 am Tuesday as the players will look to chase down the leader, Chang, and claim the Girls’ 14U Junior title. Eagle Crest Golf Club played at 5,002 yards and par 72 for the Girls’ field.