The individual and team champions at Thursday’s Lafayette Jefferson boys golf regional took different paths to their victories, but both were impressive nonetheless.
Guerin Catholic’s Ty Gingerich ran away with the individual win, shooting a six-under par 66 to dominate Battle Ground Golf Club and take medalist honors. Meanwhile, Carmel’s team put together a remarkably consistent performance across all five golfers to earn the team championship.
Both Gingerich and the Greyhounds team advanced to next week’s state meet at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, as did Westfield senior Andrew Lewis.
Gingerich shot 34 on the front nine and 36 on the back, totaling six birdies for the day and no bogeys. Gingerich is the first-ever regional medalist for the Golden Eagles.
Carmel extended its regional championship record to 14 with its Thursday win and qualified for state for the 25th time. If ever a team was on the same page, it was the Greyhounds: All five of their golfers carded either a 73 or a 74.
Nick Dentino and Cole Harris both scored 73s, with both golfers making three birdies in their respective rebounds. Clay Stirsman, Luke Prall and Curtis Robertson all had 74s. Stirsman made four birdies, Robertson drained three and Prall had one.
Lewis tied for fourth overall with a 72, and was one of the five individuals to qualify for state. He made four birdies in his round. The Shamrocks’ Ethan Lutz finished with an 82 and one birdie.
Team scores: Carmel 294, Zionsville 298, Brebeuf Jesuit 298, Chesterton 310, Harrison 315, Lafayette Central Catholic 316, Valparaiso 321, Crown Point 326, Benton Central 332, Logansport 341, Munster 343, Winamac 343, Lake Central 357, Boone Grove 359, Hanover Central 372, Rochester 373, La Porte 377, Michigan City 395.
Medalist: Ty Gingerich (Guerin Catholic) 34-32=66.
Carmel scores: Nick Dentino 36-37=73, Cole Harris 37-36=73, Clay Stirsman 38-36=74, Luke Prall 37-37=74, Curtis Robertson 37-37=74.
Westfield scores: Andrew Lewis 37-35=72, Ethan Lutz 41-41=82.
Over at The Players Club in Yorktown, Hamilton Southeastern and Noblesville placed second and third respectively at the Muncie Central regional, also booking spots to the state meet.
Cathedral won the regional title with a team score of 309. The Royals were next with a 312. Southeastern was led by an outstanding performance from Daivic Akala, who tied for second individually with a 73. Akala made four birdies in his round.
“It feels great to get back there,” said Akala. “It’s one of the better rounds I’ve played this year. The high-pressure situation and I just feel great that I came in for the team.”
John Cherry scored a 78 and Mekheil Garcia added a 79; both had two birdies. Thus HSE qualified for its eighth trip to the state meet.
Royals coach David Young credited his team with working “really hard at coming together as a team” and getting the experience they needed “so that under pressure situations and things like this, they could rise. And that’s exactly what they did today.”
Noblesville finished with a 314 to qualify for state for the second year in a row and the 16th overall. Jacob Deakyne was the Millers’ low man with a 77, including one birdie. Kyle Claussen carded a 78, also with a birdie, followed by Clay Merchent’s 79; he made two birdies. Jack Barnes had two birdies in his round of 80. Joe Whallon carded a 91 with one birdie.
“It’s always good to go on,” said Noblesville coach Gary Sewell. “It’s survive and advance, and today was totally survive. It was down to the wire. We didn’t play particularly well, didn’t adjust to the conditions. Greens were incredibly fast today – they were receptive, but they were very, very fast.”
Still, the Millers are going to Prairie View and will start fresh – “These scores don’t count,” said Sewell.
“We’re looking forward to that opportunity,” said Sewell.
Fishers finished 10th with a team score of 335. Bryce Robertson led the Tigers with an 83. Noah Chamberlin (84) and Caleb Bopp (85) each made one birdie.
Team scores: Cathedral 309, Hamilton Southeastern 312, Noblesville 314, Muncie Central 318, New Castle 320, Belmont 322, Heritage Christian 329, Bishop Chatard 329, Hagerstown 334, Fishers 335, New Palestine 336, Mount Vernon 340, Union County 341, Yorktown 342, Marion 355, Monroe Central 359, Centerville 366, Mississinewa 386.
Medalist: Austin Vukovits (Cathedral) 34-38=72.
Southeastern scores: Daivic Akala 35-38=73, John Cherry 35-43=78, Mekheil Garcia 37-42=79, Sam Smith 41-41=82, Adam Horner 45-43=88.
Noblesville scores: Jacob Deakyne 39-38=77, Kyle Claussen 37-41=78, Clay Merchent 38-41=79, Jack Barnes 41-39=80, Joe Whallon 45-46=91.
Fishers scores: Bryce Robertson 44-39=83, Shivom Patel 41-43=84, Nick Fisher 45-39=84, Noah Chamberlain 46-38=84, Caleb Bopp 42-43=85.
The Carmel boys golf team won the Lafayette Jefferson regional at Battle Ground Golf Club on Thursday. The Greyhounds scored a 294 to defend their regional title, with everyone shooting either a 73 or 74. (Photo provided)
The Hamilton Southeastern boys golf team finished second at the Muncie Central regional, which took place at The Players Club in Yorktown on Thursday. The Royals scored 312 and return to state for the eighth time in school history. (Richie Hall)
Noblesville’s boys golf team finished third at The Players Club and qualified for the state meet. The Millers will be making their 16th appearance at state, which takes place next week at Carmel’s Prairie View Golf Club. (Tenna Merchent)