GC reaches podium, Royals take 5th, Millers finish 6th
By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – As usual, Hamilton County teams had a major presence at the IHSAA boys golf state finals this week at Prairie View Golf Club.
Guerin Catholic’s Eli Wessel was the individual runner-up and helped the Golden Eagles finish third. He was named to the All-State team. (Julie Brown)
All four local qualifying teams finished in the top six, with Westfield defending its state championship (see related story). One of the Shamrocks’ fellow county teams gave them a run: Guerin Catholic placed third with a score of 596, just four strokes away from the top.
The Golden Eagles were led by senior Eli Wessel, who was the low man for the second round. Wessel scored a three-under par 69, which elevated him to a tie with Westfield’s Hudson Kutchma for the overall lowest score.
Both men totaled 142 for their two-day score, so a playoff was needed to determine the individual champion. Kutchma won the playoff in two holes, so Wessel finished second. But he was pleased with the day, considering how much ground he had to make up just to get into that position.
“I was five back going into today. At one point, I was seven back,” said Wessel. While things didn’t go the way he wanted on the 18th hole and in the playoff, Wessel called the day a “great experience.”
“Super proud of the way I played today and extremely proud of the boys for battling,” said Wessel. He finished the day with six birdies and was named to the All-State team.
Junior Brady Wagner made one birdie during his second-day round of 77, as did junior Andrew Williamson, who scored 74 on Wednesday. Two freshmen were also in the GC lineup: Myles Ray totaled 75 and Cooper Howard scored 78, including an eagle on the third hole. Ray also drained two birdies.
“It was a great tournament today,” said Guerin Catholic coach Mark Mathews. “We didn’t play as well as we should have yesterday and we came really close to winning this thing, so we’re good about it.”
Royals take fifth
Castle finished fourth with a two-day score of 600. Hamilton Southeastern was next, as the Royals totaled 608 to place fifth.
Senior Mattingly Upchurch finished with a Wednesday score of 74, making two birdies along the way. Junior Dane Starnes scored 75 on Wednesday with one birdie to his credit. Both players were named to the All-State team.
Freshman Zach Kinzer carded 76, as did junior Brody Colburn, who made three birdies. Senior Blake Babb scored 84, including one birdie.
Hamilton Southeastern’s Dane Starnes (ABOVE LEFT) and Mattingly Upchurch (ABOVE RIGHT) were named to the All-State team. (Julie Brown)
Marucci leads Millers
Senior Tyler Marucci was Noblesville’s leader, finishing tied for fifth individually with a two-day total of 145.
Marucci finished with a 73 for his second round, making one birdie along the way. He was named to the All-State team.
“It was a battle out there,” said Marucci. “I played well on the front nine, got 34, and then stalled out in the back nine, but the back nine played pretty tough today. But one of my goals this year was to get All-State, which I did, so I’m pretty proud of myself for that.”
The Millers scored 610 to place sixth as a team. Jackson Mahan scored 75 for his second round, draining an eagle on the 13th hole in addition to making two birdies.
Freshman JT Kelley totaled 80, draining four birdies. Sophomore Luke Decker also scored 80, making one birdie, while senior Dustin Turpin totaled 82.
Noblesville’s Tyler Marucci tied for fifth individually
and was named to the All-State team. (Julie Brown)
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