Boys golf: Rocks defend regional, GC’s Wessel is medalist

Hounds place second to return to state

The REPORTER

The Westfield boys golf team kept its regional championship streak going on Friday.

The Shamrocks won the Harrison regional, which took place at Coyote Crossing Golf Course in Lafayette. Westfield scored 294 for a comfortable team victory, with three of its players finishing in the top six individually, and a ticket to next week’s IHSAA state finals at Prairie View.

Seniors Will Harvey and Jake Cesare led the way for the Rocks, with both of them scoring 72. The two Westfield golfers tied for low round with Guerin Catholic’s Eli Wessel, who won a playoff for medalist honors.

Jake Cesare totaled two birdies, while Harvey made one. Hudson Kutchma drained five birdies on his way to a score of 73. Ryan Cesare scored 77 with one birdie and Mitchell Keene made three birdies while posting a 79.

The top three teams advance to state from regional. Carmel claimed a place at state by finishing as team runner-up with a score of 304. The Greyhounds qualified for the first time since 2021, breaking a four-year drought.

Ethan Hoagland and Alex Gardner both scored 75, with Hoagland making three birdies and Johnson draining one. Noah Johnson totaled 77 with one birdie, while Davis Hutchins posted 77 with two birdies. Patrick Wolf scored 78.

Wessel totaled four birdies on his way to post 72 before winning the medalist playoff. He qualifies for state as one of three individuals not on an advancing team. Wessel will be joined by Golden Eagles teammate Robbie Burt, who scored 73 to take one of the other advancing places. Burt made two birdies in his round.

Team scores: Westfield 294, Carmel 304, Zionsville 305, Brownsburg 314, Lafayette Central Catholic 322, Brebeuf Jesuit 325, Tri-West 329, Harrison 330, Parke Heritage 334, Plainfield 338, Speedway 338, Martinsville 350, West Lafayette 351, Covenant Christian 363, North Montgomery 378.

Medalist: Eli Wessel (Guerin Catholic) 37-35=72, won in playoff.

Westfield scores: Will Harvey 36-36=72, Jake Cesare 35-37=72, Hudson Kutchma 39-34=73, Ryan Cesare 39-38=77, Mitchell Keene 34-45=79.

Carmel scores: Ethan Hoagland 41-34=75, Alex Gardner 38-37=75, Noah Johnson 39-38=77, Davis Hutchins 38-39=77, Patrick Wolf 39-39=78.

Other Guerin Catholic score: Robbie Burt 36-37=73.