The first day of the IHSAA boys golf state finals was very close, especially among the top three teams.
Carmel and Center Grove traded the first-round lead Tuesday at Prairie View Golf Club, with Noblesville only a couple strokes behind. Those three schools will be in the lead group when play resumes this morning.
The defending state champions Greyhounds carded a 299 in their first round of play. Senior Nick Dentino went two under par for a 70, which puts him in a tie for the lead individually with Peru sophomore Kash Bellar. Dentino made six birdies in his round, including one each on holes 16 and 18.
“That was the kind of finish we needed from him,” said Carmel coach Chard Reid.
Juniors Clay Stirsman and Luke Prall both scored 74s, with Stirsman making four birdies and Prall getting one. Both are tied for ninth individually.
“We feel really good, going into tomorrow, where we’re at right now,” said Reid.
Center Grove scored 303, with the Millers at 305. Senior Clay Merchent led Noblesville with an even-par finish of 72, including five birdies. Merchent is tied for third in the individual standings.
Senior Joe Whallon carded a 77, while senior Jacob Deakyne scored 78, both had one birdie. Senior Chris Scheib also scored a 78, with two birdies.
“We’re close,” said Millers coach Gary Sewell. “We’re in the last group and you want to be in the last group on the last day and see what happens.”
Guerin Catholic isn’t far away either. The Golden Eagles finished the first round with a 313, good for fifth place. Freshman Connor McNeely and senior Ty Gingerich both carded 77s. All five Guerin players made at least one birdie: Sophomore Ben Burgan had four, senior Keaton Modleski made two, and sophomore Andrew White, McNeely and Gingerich all had one.
Hamilton Southeastern scored 324, putting the Royals in 10th place. Senior Daivic Akala scored a 78 to lead Southeastern, including three birdies. Senior John Cherry carded a 79, both he and senior Sam Smith made one birdie.
Fishers’ two individuals both had solid days. Junior Bryce Robertson scored a 74 to put himself in the tie for ninth place, draining five birdies along the way. Senior Caleb Bopp is one stroke behind with a 75, he made two birdies in his round.
Westfield senior Ethan Lutz scored a 78, including one birdie.
Play begins at 8 a.m. today at Prairie View, with golfers going off on the first and 10th tees through 10:33 a.m.
Team scores: Carmel 299, Center Grove 303, Noblesville 305, Floyd Central 311, Guerin Catholic 313, Castle 314, Bishop Dwenger 315, Columbus North 321, Penn 322, Hamilton Southeastern 324, Yorktown 327, Warsaw 328, Evansville North 330, Crown Point 337, Plainfield 338.
Carmel scores: Nick Dentino 36-34=70, Clay Stirsman 36-38=74, Luke Prall 35-39=74, Cole Harris 40-41=81, Jack Crawford 37-45=82.
Noblesville scores: Clay Merchent 35-37=72, Joe Whallon 41-36=77, Jacob Deakyne 39-39=78, Chris Scheib 40-38=78, Jaxon Stutz 37-44=81.
Guerin Catholic scores: Connor McNeely 40-37=77, Ty Gingerich 38-39=77, Andrew White 37-41=78, Keaton Modleski 41-40=81, Ben Burgan 37-49=86.
Southeastern scores: Daivic Akala 41-37=78, John Cherry 40-39=79, Sam Smith 39-43=82, Mekheil Garcia 42-43=85, Adam Horner 44-41=85.
Fishers scores: Bryce Robertson 38-36=74, Caleb Bopp 39-36=75.
Westfield score: Ethan Lutz 37-41=78.
Carmel’s Clay Stirsman carded a 74 for the Greyhounds during the first round of the IHSAA boys golf state finals Tuesday at Prairie View Golf Club. Carmel leads the team standings after the first round. (Richie Hall)
Noblesville’s Chris Scheib scored a 78 for the Millers, who are in third place after the first round. (Richie Hall)