By RICHIE HALL
The top two teams in Indiana high school boys golf played together in the first round of the IHSAA state finals Tuesday at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.
Once the round was completed, the second-ranked team – Carmel – was in the lead. The Greyhounds compiled a team score of 295, four shots ahead of top-ranked and defending state champion Center Grove. The Trojans carded a 299.
Carmel had three players in the top 16 at the end of the day. Clay Stirsman shot a one-under par 71, putting him second place individually. The current leader is Chesterton senior Mitchell Davis, who fired a four-under 68.
Cole Harris and Nick Dentino both had 74s, putting them in a seven-way tie for 10th place.
“Our goal every day is just to come out here and beat Prairie View,” said Greyhounds coach Chard Reid. “We played pretty well today. We left a few shots on the course, especially late in the round. But we like our position right now and looking forward to a fun day tomorrow, for sure.”
Zionsville is in third place with a score of 304. Carmel, Center Grove and Zionsville will all play in the same group for today’s second round; they will go off the first tee between 9:57 and 10:33 a.m.
Hamilton Southeastern is tied for fifth place with Cathedral after the first round. Both teams carded a 315. Daivic Akala was the Royals’ low man with a 76, followed by Sam Smith with a 77.
Southeastern will play with the Irish and Penn, the current fourth-place team, in the second round. They will start from the first tee between 9:12 and 9:48 a.m.
Noblesville is in 12th place with a 331. Clay Merchent led the Millers with a 76. Noblesville will play with Castle and Evansville North in the second round, starting from the 10th tee between 9:03 and 9:39 a.m.
Westfield’s Andrew Lewis is currently in a three-way tie for seventh place after shooting a 73. He will begin the second round from the first tee at 8:18 a.m. today.
Guerin Catholic’s Ty Gingerich finished his first round with a score of 75. He starts today’s second round from the 10th tee at 8 a.m.
Team scores: Carmel 295, Center Grove 299, Zionsville 304, Penn 312, Cathedral 315, Hamilton Southeastern 315, Brebeuf Jesuit 316, Bishop Dwenger 318, Floyd Central 324, Evansville North 325, Castle 328, Noblesville 331, Evansville Memorial 335, Culver Academies 338, Madison 346.
Carmel scores: Clay Stirsman 71, Cole Harris 74, Nick Dentino 74, Luke Prall 76, Curtis Robertson 82.
Southeastern scores: Daivic Akala 76, Sam Smith 77, Sam Crousore 80, John Cherry 82, Mekheil Garcia 84.
Noblesville scores: Clay Merchent 76, Joe Whallon 84, Jack Barnes 84, Kyle Claussen 87.
Westfield score: Andrew Lewis 73.
Guerin Catholic score: Ty Gingerich 75.
Carmel’s Nick Dentino carded a 74 in the first round at the IHSAA boys golf state finals, which took place Tuesday at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. The Greyhounds are currently in first place. (Richie Hall)
Westfield’s Andrew Lewis scored a 73 after the first round, putting him in a three-way tie for seventh place. (Richie Hall)