By Steve Wilson

swilson@vicksburgpost.com

Nick Mekus was on cruise control with a four-shot lead with a first-round 75 after the first day of the Warren County Junior Championship.

And no potholes, flat tires or any other obstacle loomed in his path Wednesday in the second round, as he shot an even-par 72 and a two-day total of 147 to earn top honors in the annual tournament at Clear Creek Golf Course.

Mekus pulled away from Conner Smith, who followed up his first-round 79 with an 80 for second place. Liam Hopson was third with a 177, shooting an 83.

While the win qualified Mekus for the Warren County Championship, scheduled for July 27-28, he won’t be playing, as he’ll be on a trip to the annual OshKosh Air Show in Wisconsin.

Mekus was reasonably pleased with his performance.

“Ball-striking wise, I drove the ball well,” Mekus said. “I didn’t putt very well. It was all right. I took it easy today and I was just practicing for tomorrow, for the tournament in Meridian.”

In the girls event, Laura Phillips won on No. 18 with a five-foot, downhill par putt, beating Karley Whittington by one stroke.

After the pair shot 85s to tie for the lead on Monday, Phillips had a five-stroke lead going into No. 11.

A couple of bogies and a nice birdie on No. 15 by Whittington set up an exciting conclusion.

Beth Newman held off a charging Anna Fletcher for third place with a two-day total of 185, beating Fletcher by one stroke.

Reed Buys clipped his brother Booth in the boys ages 11-13 division with a two-day total of 107. Booth was second with a 110.