By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
It was a beautiful day for golf regionals, and a nice day to make some history as well.
Four Hamilton County teams finished in the top three at their respective regionals, thus qualifying for next week’s state tournament at Prairie View Golf Club. Noblesville triumphed at the Muncie Central regional at The Players Club in Yorktown, with Fishers placing third for its first ever state berth. Over at Battle Ground Golf Club, Carmel won the Lafayette Jeff regional, and Westfield finished third.
The Millers’ victory gave them a first regional trophy since 2012. Coupled with Monday’s sectional championship at Purgatory Golf Club, it’s the third time that Noblesville swept sectional and regional titles, and the first time since 2005. Overall, it’s the sixth regional title for NHS.
The Millers won with a score of 288, matching their sectional championship score. Noblesville coach Gary Sewell said his team has “been waiting for this all year,” and everything came to fruition on Thursday.
“We knew how well we could play,” said Sewell. “The last two weeks, we’ve been able to do that, put things together. It helps when Clay goes out and shoots 66.”
Clay Merchent had an outstanding day on the course, winning individual medalist honors by six shots over second place. Merchent fired off seven birdies in his round, including a string of four in a row at one point.
“It’s been close all year, hasn’t really come around yet,” said Merchent. The sophomore said he has thrown some good scores up on the board this season, and kept working on the off-season. That work is paying off now.
If Merchent provided the flash, Noblesville’s other four scores provided the foundation for the victory. Mitchell Compton carded a 73 (with five birdies), Parker Deakyne shot 74 (one birdie), Jacob Deakyne scored 75 (four birdies) and John Barnes carded 76 (two birdies).
Compton’s score placed him third individually, while Parker Deakyne tied for fifth.
“Everybody is peaking at the right time,” said Sewell. The coach said that Merchent’s incredible round took the pressure off his teammates, since they didn’t have to force things to happen on the course.
“They can just let things happen, and that’s when usually you play your best,” said Sewell.
“It’s really exciting stuff,” said Merchent. “It’s good to be able to still win even if you didn’t get to count the 66.”
By making it to state, Jacob Deakyne will be fourth golfer in his family to play at state. Grandfather Pete Deakyne and father Gary Deakyne also represented Noblesville at the state meet, and Parker Deakyne played as an individual at Prairie View last year – now his whole team will join him.
Fishers joined in the excitement by making it to state for the first time. The Tigers made it to Prairie View by a whisker: Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern each finished with 315, but the Tigers won on the fifth-man score. Cathedral placed second with 311.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Fishers coach Keith Andrews. “So happy for our kids. They’ve played so well this year.”
Shivom Patel and Noah Chamberlin both scored 77s for the Tigers. Chamberlin had two birdies, while Patel made one birdie. Bryce Robertson’s 78 included two birdies. Nick Fisher had one birdie.
“Our boat was leaking a little bit down the stretch, but we were able to hold it together just enough to finish,” said Andrews. “I can’t say enough about our kids, how well they hold things together.”
The Royals will have a player at state: Drew Alexander’s 76 got him one of the spots reserved for individuals not on an advancing team. Alexander made four birdies in his round Thursday.
“It definitely is a bit of a bummer that the whole team didn’t qualify,” said Alexander, “but Noblesville offered to bring me along during their practice round, and I’m just really excited to play with them and then playing at state’s going to be a great experience, my last chance for All-State.”
Luke Jolly’s 79 also included four birdies, while Alex Bullington made one birdie on his way to a 79. Will Kirchmer had one birdie as well.
Up at Battle Ground, Carmel broke its seven-year regional drought by edging Zionsville 296-298. With the win, the Greyhounds picked up their 13th regional championship, an IHSAA record. Westfield’s 301 was easily good enough for third place and marks the sixth consecutive year the Shamrocks will play at state.
Carmel had two players finish as part of a four-way tie for third place: Cole Harris and Kevin Stone both shot even-par 72s. Harris drained five birdies in his round, while Stone made two. Curtis Robertson’s round of 75 included three birdies, and Clay Stirsman carded three birdies on his way to a 77.
Westfield’s Andrew Lewis finished as the individual runner-up with a one-under par 71; he made three birdies on the day. Noah Shanteau was also part of the third-place tie with his 72, including five birdies. Josh Kehl had two birdies on his way to a 75.
AT THE PLAYERS CLUB
Team scores: Noblesville 288, Cathedral 311, Fishers 315, Hamilton Southeastern 315, Bishop Chatard 317, Hagerstown 321, Richmond 322, Marion 322, Mount Vernon 323, New Castle 324, Muncie Central 338, Delta 341, Bellmont 343, New Palestine 344, Jay County 352, Oak Hill 355, Centerville 356, Heritage Christian 363.
Medalist: Clay Merchent (Noblesville) 31-35=66.
Other Noblesville scores: Mitchell Compton 38-35=73, Parker Deakyne 36-38=74, Jacob Deakyne 39-36=75, John Barnes 39-37=76.
Fishers scores: Shivom Patel 40-37=77, Noah Chamberlin 38-39=77, Bryce Robertson 39-39=78, Nick Fisher 40-43=83, Jackson Ousley 45-42=87.
Southeastern scores: Drew Alexander 34-42=76, Luke Jolly 39-40=79, Alex Bullington 40-39=79, Will Kirchmer 40-41=81, Jake Hutmacher 48-40=88.
AT BATTLE GROUND
Team scores: Carmel 296, Zionsville 298, Westfield 301, Crown Point 312, Harrison 316, Valparaiso 333, Chesterton 333, Lafayette Central Catholic 342, Benton Central 342, Lake Central 343, Munster 348, Twin Lakes 349, Rensselaer Central 352, Portage 350, La Porte 359, Logansport 365, Hanover Central 367, New Prairie 369.
Medalist: Yianni Kostouros (Crown Point) 35-35=70.
Carmel scores: Kevin Stone 36-36=72, Cole Harris 37-35=72, Curtis Robertson 36-39=75, Clay Stirsman 38-39=77, Nick Dentino 38-41=79.
Westfield scores: Andrew Lewis 37-34=71, Noah Shanteau 34-38=72, Josh Kehl 38-37=75, Ethan Lutz 41-42=83, Kevin Hitch 43-44=87.
The Noblesville boys golf team won its first regional championship since 2012, shooting a 288 to pace the field at the Muncie Central regional at The Players Club in Yorktown. (Richie Hall)
Carmel broke a seven-year regional drought by winning at the Lafayette Jeff regional at Battle Ground Golf Club. (Photo provided)
The Fishers boys golf team finished third at the Muncie Central regional, which qualified the Tigers for their first-ever state meet. (Richie Hall)