Weather continues to be the toughest hurdle for area high school golfers.
It was a familiar tune Thursday at Soldiers Field Golf Course as the four Rochester schools gathered for the annual All-City Championships.
The All-City meet already had been postponed once, and Thursday's weather caused problems once again.
Players teed off under fantastic conditions, but the first clap of thunder came about 3:00 p.m. After a nearly two-hour delay, the players headed back out on the course. The poor weather came back a few hours later, though, and play was suspended permanently.
Only one group completed play before the meet was officially called off. The final group had completed just 12 holes, though, so the final result was determined by 12 holes.
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The shortened result didn't end with a different All-City champion. Rochester Century still is on top.
And this year, the Panthers did it a man down.
Century's Ben Farley attempted to get his round in before he had to leave for a scholarship meeting, but the weather delay made that impossible, so he was forced to withdraw.
The rest of the Panthers stepped up in his place, though, rolling to an eight-stroke victory over second-place Lourdes.
The par through 12 holes at Soldiers Field is 45, and the Panthers finished at 204. Lourdes came in at 212, and Mayo was third at 216. John Marshall placed fourth at 225.
The one down side for Century was that the poor weather cut short an incredible round by senior Chris Captain. He was three-under par through 16 holes when play was called off.
As it stands, Captain finished at two-under 43.
"Chris is such a mature, wonderful, scientific golfer, it was great to see him playing well again," Century coach Jeff Wells said. "He's struggled a little this year; struggled for him, not for most high school golfers. I still think this will help with his confidence, whether he finished or not. He did go back out after the meet was called off and finished that great round."
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Century's C.J. Fritcher was second at one-over 46, while Matt Boeker fired 50. Nick Evans rounded out the counting scores for Century with a 65.
"I don't remember this meet ever being shortened," Wells said. "But it was good to see other guys step up and have that pressure on them with Ben being gone. We have such a great, mature group."
Lourdes coach Chris Miller said it was a frustrating end to a long day, but it's nothing new this spring.
"We've always finished this one as long as I can remember," Miller said. "That extra storm came in and there was just no way to get it done. We had to make the decision to keep the kids off the course. It's tough circumstances, but it happens."
Josh Fritzjunker had a solid round to pace the Eagles. He carded four-over 49. Robert Simari was second at 50, while Luke Alexander carded 11-over 56. Will Aksamit fired 57.
Mayo had a stead effort, led by Grant Coleman's 51. Blake Riess and Ian Christiansen carded 55, while John Hartert shot 57.
John Marshall rounded out the city teams, with both Brady Dahl and Noah Antes carding 54. Jay Lebeck had 58, while Ross Faber shot 59.
ALL-CITY MEET
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• At Soldiers Field, par 45 (12 holes)
Century (204):Chris Captain 43, CJ Fritcher 46, MAtt Boeker 50, Nick Evans 65.
Lourdes (212): Josh Fritzjunker 49, Robert Simari 50, Luke Alexander 56, Will Aksamit 57.
Mayo (216): Grant Coleman 51, Blake Riess 55, Ian Christianson 55, John HArdert 57.
John Marshall (225):Brady Dahl 54, Noah Antes 54, Jay Lebeck 58, Ross Faber 59.
