Bryan golf teams are trying to work their way into the upper echelon of competition while the Vikings' gymnastics team effectively opens defense of its boys gynmanstics state championship Friday.

Briarcrest Country Club is the site for the Bryan Invitational golf tournament, and a stout field is due to compete for the title. Many of the same strong girls teams that took part in A&M Consolidated's tournament at Pebble Creek Country Club return to play at Briarcrest beginning Friday.

The first tee times are set for 8 a.m. on Nos. 1 and 10. The second and final round is set for Saturday.

On the boys side, Katy Cinco Ranch was the runaway winner in Bryan's last tournament and will be a heavy favorite again.

Sophomore Sam DeStefano was a winner in the Vikings' last tournament, but they have not played since Feb. 21 after the Montgomery tournament was rained out. Lane Hudson, a 2008 Class 5A regional qualifier, will also play for Bryan on a team that includes sophomores Cody Meier and Matthew Wilkinson and junior Joey Micheletti.

The Woodlands has two teams in competition. Temple, Katy Seven Lakes, College Park and Brenham round out the eight-team boys field.

"If we play well at home, we could be in the running for a medal position," Bryan coach Ron Newhouse said.

"The girls' field is extremely strong with 12 teams in competition. At least four of the teams are a good bet to make it to make the state tournament in 4A or 5A. A&M Consolidated is probably the favorite because of some familiarity with Briarcrest."

Consol, The Woodlands, Montgomery and Magnolia have all won girls tournaments this year.

Kelsey Dickson leads the host Lady Vikings. She has had three top five finishes and was a 2008 regional qualifier. The other members of the Lady Vikings' team are senior Courtney Bosquez, juniors Kayli Clay and Mary Hicks and freshman Tyler Sheffield. As a team, they've made it to the medal stand twice this season.

Also on the girls side, The Woodlands and Montgomery will each field two teams while Brenham, Conroe Oak Ridge, College Park and Katy's Seven Lakes and Cinco Ranch also will compete.

In gymnastics, Bryan hosted the district meet on its way to the boys state title last season but will start the march back to state in Round Rock on Friday.

The Vikings have tried to hold together much of their championship team together, while transitioning the program to Rudder High School. Bryan and Rudder are fielding separate teams.

"Our Bryan guys should be the favorite in this one," said J.T. Fletcher, who coaches the Vikings and Rudder Rangers. "Alex Reyes and Stefan Quartemont should be the favorites in the all-around. They have switched back and forth as the top all-arounders on the team."

Fletcher says the seven-man Bryan squad may be the smallest he has coached in 17 seasons.

Sophomore Tyler Houdeck is the leader for Rudder, which will send six gymnasts to Round Rock for district.

"When he walked into gym two summers ago as a beginner, we never thought he would turn out to be gymnast," Fletcher said. "Now he has an outsider's chance to qualify for state. In the Viking Invitational, he was 13th on floor, so he's right there on the edge, and he's backed up by Marc Anthony Herrera."

Bryan's girls have struggled early with the division of the schools, while Rudder is rebuilding with younger gymnasts.

Consol will host the regional gymnastics meet on April 2-3. Elyssa Trejo and Kathryn Roussel, who have their team gunning for the district championship, will lead the Consol girls. Trejo and Debra Roussel should be in the running for the all-around win.

Nick Trejo leads the all-around competition for the Tigers, who expect high finishes from Landan Quartemont in his individual events.