By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – The senior players on the Noblesville boys golf team left a perfect legacy: Four years, four sectional championships.
The Millers completed that sweep Monday when they hosted their own golf sectional at Purgatory Golf Club. Noblesville scored a 293, easily winning the title for the fourth consecutive year. It’s the second time in school history that the Millers have won four in a row; they also had a four-year streak from 1997 to 2000. Noblesville has won 17 sectional titles overall.
“This senior class has just been special for us,” said Millers coach Gary Sewell. “For us to go out this way is special and we’re extremely happy to be able to do that.”
Two Noblesville seniors led the way with solid rounds. Clay Merchent earned individual medalist honors with a six-under par 66. That included two eagles for Merchent, coming on the first and 18th holes.
“He started the round with an eagle and ended the round with an eagle,” said Sewell. “That’s a pretty good way to start and finish the whole thing.”
“It was one of the more eventful rounds,” said Merchent. “Made a lot of birdies, a couple eagles, a couple bogeys unfortunately. But overall, kept it together and rolled a few putts there, which is nice.”
Senior Jacob Deakyne scored a 72, even par. This was the second consecutive 72 for Deakyne, who carded the same score in the Millers’ regular-season finale last Thursday. Sewell pointed out that Deakyne bogeyed 17, but came right back to make a birdie on 18 to preserve the even par round.
“I’m hitting the ball really well,” said Deakyne. “I’m hitting my driver exceptionally well and my irons. I’m averaging hitting like 15 greens right now, but I still haven’t really figured out my putter. Once I start making putts, I feel like I’m going to be going much lower than that.”
All five Noblesville players had a consistent round. Jaxon Stutz carded a 77 after going one under on the front nine. Joe Whallon scored 78 and Chris Scheib carded 80.
“We played really, really well,” said Sewell. “It’s hard to complain about anything, but we played really, really well today. I’m really happy.”
Noblesville advanced to the Muncie Central regional, which will take place Thursday at The Players Club in Yorktown. Hamilton Southeastern will join the Millers, as the Royals took second with a score of 305.
“This was our best round of the year,” said HSE coach David Young. The coach said he “couldn’t be prouder of our seniors and the team. Survive and advance, that’s the name of the game.”
Senior Daivic Akala was the Royals’ low man with a 73, followed by Sam Smith’s score of 74.
“It feels good,” Akala said of Southeastern advancing out of a tough sectional. “It’s fulfilling that we played our best round of the year.”
Now it’s on to the regional, where the Royals have historically played well.
“I know we have some young guys that are really stepping forward and the seniors are really stepping forward as well. I think we’re definitely trending in the right direction.”
Tipton scored a 309 to take the third place and the final regional qualifying spot. Fishers finished fourth with a 313, but advanced its top three golfers to The Players Club as individuals: Bryce Robertson and Caleb Bopp both scored 75s and Dylan O’Daniel had an 81.
Hamilton Heights finished sixth as a team by scoring 360. Kyle Kirtley led the Huskies with an 86.
Team scores: Noblesville 293, Hamilton Southeastern 305, Tipton 309, Fishers 313, Lapel 343, Hamilton Heights 360, Pendleton Heights 365, Frankton 412, Anderson 431, Elwood 436, Alexandria 468.
Medalist: Clay Merchent (N) 34-32=66.
Other Noblesville scores: Jacob Deakyne 36-36=72, Jaxon Stutz 35-42=77, Joe Whallon 39-39=78, Chris Scheib 40-40=80.
Southeastern scores: Daivic Akala 37-36=73, Sam Smith 38-36=74, John Cherry 38-40=78, Adam Horner 38-42=80, Sam Crousore 42-40=82.
Fishers scores: Bryce Robertson 38-37=75, Caleb Bopp 38-37=75, Dylan O’Daniel 41-40=81, Will Schade 41-41=82, Davey Acres 45-46=91.
Heights scores: Kyle Kirtley 43-43=86, Hudson Hochstedler 42-47=89, Price Knowles 50-40=90, John Thuer 50-45=95, James Garrett 49-49=98.
Two Hamilton County teams and two more individuals qualified for the regional after their performances at the Westfield sectional, which took place Monday at Ulen Golf and Country Club in Lebanon.
Carmel finished second with a score of 301, with Guerin Catholic right behind in third place with a 302. Zionsville won the sectional championship by scoring 299.
Clay Stirsman and Jack Crawford both had 73s for the Greyhounds, while Connor McNeely led the Golden Eagles with a 74.
Westfield’s Ethan Lutz and University’s Thomas Tanselle also had 74s, and will advance to the regional as individual. They will join Carmel and Guerin Catholic at the Lake Central regional, which takes place Thursday at Sandy Pines Golf Club in DeMotte.
Team scores: Zionsville 299, Carmel 301, Guerin Catholic 302, Brebeuf Jesuit 306, Westfield 320, North Central 347, Lebanon 352, Western Boone 396, Bethesda Christian 406.
Medalist: Drew Wrightson (BJ) 35-35=70.
Carmel scores: Clay Stirsman 36-37=73, Jack Crawford 37-36=73, Luke Prall 38-38=76, Nick Dentino 37-42=79, Cole Harris 42-37=79.
Guerin Catholic scores: Connor McNeely 39-35=74, Andrew White 38-37=75, Ben Burgan 39-37=76, Ty Gingerich 37-40=77, Keaton Modleski 42-41=83.
Westfield scores: Ethan Lutz 39-35=74, Spencer Howe 40-40=80, Drake Biggs 40-42=82, Joe Sawyer 42-42=84, Timmy Leonard 46-45=91.
University scores: Thomas Tanselle 35-39=74, Michael Bounsall 48-46=84, Nick Boschee 65-57=122.
Sheridan score: Nick Roberts 58-55=113.
The Noblesville boys golf team won its fourth consecutive sectional championship Monday at Purgatory Golf Club. The Millers scored 293 and advanced to the Muncie Central regional, which is Thursday at The Players Club in Yorktown. (Tenna Merchent)
Noblesville’s Clay Merchent was the meet medalist with a six-under par 66. Merchent made eagles on the first and 18th holes. (Tenna Merchent)