When it comes to an IHSAA golf regional, the main focus is getting a top three spot, which ensures that a team will advance to the state meet.
Winning the regional isn’t necessarily the top priority. But it is fun to win, and Noblesville got to experience that feeling Thursday at the Muncie Central regional, which took place at The Players Club in Yorktown.
The Millers squeezed past Yorktown by one stroke, 300-301, to claim their second regional title in three years and the seventh in program history. Both teams advance to next week’s state meet at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, along with Hamilton Southeastern, which placed third.
“It always feels good to win, but it feels better to advance,” said Noblesville coach Gary Sewell. The coach said this is what a team works all year for, a chance to play in the state finals. The Millers will be making their 22nd appearance at state.
“We have that now,” said Sewell. “One of our goals was to get to the state tournament. We’re there. So let’s just see what happens.”
Noblesville was led by Jacob Deakyne, who has been having a sensational run over the past week. Deakyne tied for second individually with a two-under par 70; he hit an eagle on hole No. 2 and also drained three birdies.
“It’s been an awesome day,” said Deakyne. “I started off really hot, the team started off really hot. We shot even on the front side. Kind of struggled on the back side. The back side’s much tougher, in my opinion. But I finally got my putter rolling on the front and it showed by my score. I was just glad we could get out of here, not just only getting out, but also being champions.”
Clay Merchent added a 73, including four birdies. Joe Whallon carded a 78, while Jaxon Stutz also had a birdie in his round of 79.
The Royals placed third with a score of 309. John Cherry was Southeastern’s low man with a 75, including one birdie. Daivic Akala made two birdies in his round of 76. Adam Horner and Mekheil Garcia both carded 79s, with Horner making four birdies. Sam Smith’s 80 included one birdie.
This will be HSE’s 10th appearance at the state meet.
“It’s great,” said Royals coach David Young. “Obviously we didn’t get there two years ago, and to go back for the second year in a row with this group and this group of seniors is obviously an amazing testament to their work ethic and how much they care about our program and wanting to get better, and truly just continuing to want to work hard every day.”
Fishers had three individuals play at The Players Club, and two of them qualified for state. Caleb Bopp tied with Deakyne for second with his score of 70, while Bryce Robertson tied for fourth with a 71. Bopp’s round featured an eagle on hole No. 15 and four birdies. Robertson also made four birdies, including two in a row on holes 17 and 18.
“It feels great,” said Bopp. “I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time, ever since freshman year, so I’m excited to be able to do that.”
“It feels good going back for a second time,” said Robertson. “I made it my freshman year, and then sophomore year was a bit of an upset. We played bad at regionals. It feels good to go back this year.”
Dylan O’Daniel also played for the Tigers as an individual, scoring an 84.
Team scores: Noblesville 300, Yorktown 301, Hamilton Southeastern 309, New Castle 310, Cathedral 312, Tipton 312, Heritage Christian 320, Union County 331, Muncie Central 337, New Palestine 338, Bishop Chatard 344, Greenfield-Central 349, Norwell 355, Eastbrook 356, Bellmont 358, Centerville 359, Wapahani 361, Richmond 364.
Medalist: Griffin Hare (Tipton) 34-33=67.
Noblesville scores: Jacob Deakyne 32-38=70, Clay Merchent 34-39=73, Joe Whallon 39-39=78, Jaxon Stutz 39-40=79, Chris Scheib 42-44=86.
Southeastern scores: John Cherry 37-38=75, Daivic Akala 37-39=76, Adam Horner 36-43=79, Mekheil Garcia 41-38=79, Sam Smith 39-41=80.
Fishers scores: Caleb Bopp 35-35=70, Bryce Robertson 35-36=71, Dylan O’Daniel 46-38=84.
Carmel dominated the Lake Central regional, which took place at Sandy Pines Golf Club in DeMotte on Thursday.
The Greyhounds won with a team score of 291, a 29-stroke victory over runner-up Crown Point’s 320. Both teams qualified for state, along with Guerin Catholic, which finished third by scoring 321. This will be the first time in school history that the Golden Eagles take a complete team to state.
Carmel’s Cole Harris won a three-man playoff for medalist honors after carding a 72. Harris had to beat his teammate Clay Stirsman in the playoff, as he also scored 72.
Jack Crawford was next in line with a 73, tying for fourth place, followed by Nick Dentino with 74 and Luke Prall with 76. The Greyhounds extended their record total of regional championships to 15, and will be making their 33rd appearance at state.
Guerin Catholic held off Harrison by one stroke to earn its first-ever state qualification. The Golden Eagles were led by Ty Gingerich, an individual state qualifier last year. Gingerich tied for fourth place with a 73. Andrew White followed with a 77.
Westfield’s Ethan Lutz carded a 76 and advanced to state as an individual. University’s Thomas Tanselle scored a 78 in his first appearance at a regional.
Team scores: Carmel 291, Crown Point 320, Guerin Catholic 321, Harrison 322, Logansport 325, Zionsville 326, Lake Central 330, Chesterton 336, Valparaiso 337, Lafayette Central Catholic 340, Winamac 345, Boone Grove 349, Twin Lakes 359, Highland 377, West Lafayette 386, Michigan City 399, La Porte 410, Marquette Catholic 426.
Medalist: Cole Harris (Carmel) 36-36=72, won in playoff.
Other Carmel scores: Clay Stirsman 33-39=72, Jack Crawford 37-36=73, Nick Dentino 37-37=74, Luke Prall 38-38=76.
Guerin Catholic scores: Ty Gingerich 37-36=73, Andrew White 35-42=77, Ben Burgan 42-40=82, Keaton Modleski 42-47=89.
Westfield score: Ethan Lutz 38-38=76.
University score: Thomas Tanselle 38-40=78.
The Noblesville boys golf team won the Muncie Central regional Thursday at The Players Club in Yorktown. The Millers held off Yorktown by one stroke to claim their second regional title in three years, and qualify for the state meet, which takes place next week at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. (Richie Hall)