Mattoon struggled during the second round of the Craig Dixon Invitational golf tournament, requiring 22 strokes more Saturday and dropping to 11th overall in the 40-team tournament.

Behind Evan Diedrich’s 75 and Madden Johnson’s 79, the Green Wave had posted a 318 score for its top four golfers Friday. Diedrich had the team’s low score Saturday, carding an 81, followed by both Stewart Druin and Will Pullen who each shot 85. Diedrich also had the Green Wave’s best two-day total at 161.

Mattoon’s Blaine Powers uses his range finder to check distance to a hole Saturday at Mattoon Country Club. (Photo/Chet Piotrowski)

“Evan Diedrich finished just outside of the top 10 individuals,” Mattoon coach Bill Behrends said. “I am really proud of the progress he has made, and he did a great job of keeping his composure under pressure.”

Charleston improved slightly Saturday, slicing six strokes behind Preston Phillips’s 80 and recorded four scores below 90. The Trojans finished 20th overall.

“Not a bad showing, but not up to mine or my players’ expectations,” CHS coach Scott Dow said. “I am really proud of Preston. He went 81-80 (for the two rounds) and kept his focus. My goal for us was to be in the top 15 in the tournament. We have really struggled to maintain our focus and not let strokes slip away. I am trying to build up my players’ confidence. We have two freshmen playing in the top six and they are playing well, but sometimes they lose confidence and let strokes slip away. We are continuing to improve and, hopefully, we will contend for conference and at regionals.”

Edwardsville, which placed three golfers in the top nine, won the event at 609 strokes, followed by Marmion Academy (627) and Pekin (635).

MATTOON

PlayersDay 1Day 2Totals
Stewart Druin8185166
Blaine Powers8390173
Evan Diedrich7581156
Madden Johnson7989168
Brock Taylor9090180
Will Pullen8885173
Team Totals318340658

CHARLESTON

PlayersDay 1Day 2Totals
Preston Phillips8180161
Jackson Becker9288180
Logan Beals9488182
Josh Will8386169
Jackson Logue9187178
Alex Kuykendall10288190
Team Totals347341688