ANTIOCH — Ripon freshman Connor Larkin carded an 8-over 80, and the Indians compiled a four-man score of 370 to place 11th in the annual Yellowjacket Invitational hosted by Hilmar at Roddy Ranch Golf Course on Monday.

Ripon Christian also competed in the 24-team event, finishing 18th with a 397.

Los Altos won the tournament championship with a 325, edging out Buhach Colony of Merced by two strokes. Bret Harte rounded out the top three with a 345.

“We’re slowly getting better,” Ripon coach Chris Musseman said. “We’re fighting our youth and inexperience a little bit, but when you look at the Trans-Valley League teams we’re right there — Escalon beat us by one stroke and Hughson beat us by four strokes.

“A lot of our guys played below where they’ve been in the past. We just haven’t reached the point where we need to get.”

Trent Hawes’ 94 was the second best score for Ripon. Justin Brito and Rhet Herrin each turned in a 98. 

Larkin was a stroke away from tying for a top-six spot individually but was done in by a par-three hole, which he double bogeyed, on the back nine. 

“He picked the wrong club and went over the green and into a trap on another hole,” Musseman said. “But it was still a great showing for a freshman.”

Big Valley Christian’s Alex Butler was the individual medalist with a 74. Mitchell Menzes of Bret Harte and Justin Pasley of Buhach Colony finished with 76s. Only seven players had sub-80 scores as the tournament field was challenged by the course’s length and windy conditions.

Drew Bakker paced Ripon Christian with an 89, while Ryan Garcia and Rian Koetsier each had a 91.