GOLDSBORO -- Fike High senior Zach Gliarmis didn't speak of redemption.

Hunt junior Robert Byrd dared to go against his mother's wish.

However, Gliarmis bounced back from a disappointing, frustrating final round in NEW 6 Conference golf competition last week to lead Fike to another N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A East Regional championship on Tuesday at Lane Tree Golf Club.

Byrd decided to return the course despite coming within one match of missing the regular season with a broken leg. He jump-started the Warriors to a runner-up regional finish.

And Gliarmis-led Fike and Byrd-sparked Hunt will both be traveling to Foxfire Village for the NCHSAA 3-A Championship next Monday and Tuesday.

Gliarmis was the NEW 6 Player of the Year as a junior but last week's poor showing not only cost him a repeat but landed him on the all-conference second team.

But in the regional, he fired a 37-35--72, which tied him for the day's second lowest round.

"I tried to come over here with not too much in my head," Gliarmis explained. "I made a lot of putts and I didn't get into trouble. I was in only one bunker."

"I wanted to go under par really bad," Gliarmis noted.

Byrd's mother preferred he not risk additional injury by not playing golf again this season. However, his specialist granted the Hunt junior permission to again play "when he felt he was ready."

"I tried some things out and it felt good," Byrd noted. "Wearing the brace helps out."

Byrd's return for the final conference match was inspirational for the Warriors. Then, in the regional, he jump-started Hunt with a birdie spree at Nos. 3, 4 and 5.

"I got lucky on a few balls," he reviewed. "I hit a shot into a hazard, then hit it into the hole for birdie."

Byrd posted a 35-43--78 on Tuesday, quickly admitting his performance far surpassed his expectations.

His early binge arguably overshadowed his finish. Byrd was the last Hunt golfer to finish his round and, because of his ability to salvage par from a hazard on No. 18, the Warriors captured second place -- by one shot.

"I really didn't expect it," he remarked of his performance. "I thought I might shoot in the high 80s. To shoot what I am shooting now feels really good. Taking time off helps, I guess."

Thus, Tuesday turned nostalgic. Hunt qualified for the state championship for the first time since 2002. Byrd's brother, Matt, was a senior member of the golf team that year.

"They won state championships back then and to put us on the same stage ... I didn't expect it," Robert Byrd exclaimed. "But it's team unity. We knew what we had to do -- and did it."

BRUINS' NEAR MISS

Beddingfield sophomore Michael Gardner flirted with an individual state berth in a round of 42-37--79.

Gardner, without a birdie, started his round on the back nine and, at the turn, was in excellent position at 1-over-par.

"I just struggled," he said of his final nine. "My putting was OK -- I had only a couple of three-putts. I got a couple of bad breaks."

Nonetheless, the opportunity and the experience left the All-Eastern Carolina Conference performer upbeat.

"Overall, it was a pretty good day," Gardner declared. "I was pretty happy to shoot in the 70s in the regional. I played hard and gave it a shot."

The Bruins were also represented by senior Ryan Jones, who ended his high school career with a steady 86.

Charles B. Aycock of the ECC posted a 327 for its low four individuals. Golden Falcons front-runners were C.P. Cranford and Heyward Jeffreys with 81s.

Southern Nash of the NEW 6 shot at 360, led by Tyler Powell's 40-40--80.

Junior Tucker Phillips fared best among three SouthWest Edgecombe regional qualifiers in the sunshine and occasional light rain with a 41-42--83.

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