By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – Last year’s IHSAA boys golf state finals between Guerin Catholic and Westfield finished with just one stroke separating the state champion Golden Eagles and the runner-up Shamrocks.
The two teams picked up where they left off Tuesday, in the first round of this year’s state finals at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. Guerin Catholic is in front with a team score of 291, with Westfield in second place with a 293.
Both teams now have the state championship in their sights, with second-round play beginning at 8 a.m. today. The Golden Eagles and the ‘Rocks will be paired with Valparaiso, in third place with a 303, when play begins this morning.
Guerin Catholic senior Jacob Modleski played an outstanding round of golf to lead the way for his team. Modleski scored a five-under par 67, making six birdies during his first round. He nearly had first place all to himself going into today’s action, but Valpo’s Aidan Guiterrez, the defending individual state champion, made a birdie on 18 to finish with a 67 and tie for the lead.
Modleski had finished his round about an hour and a half after Guiterrez did, and he also finished it strong with back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18.
“My goal today was to pick good targets and swing very aggressively,” said Modleski. “And I think I did that really well. I think it showed up on the card. It doesn’t always show up on the card, but today it did. I definitely am excited, looking forward to tomorrow. It should be a really fun day.”
Golden Eagles junior Leo Wessel is part of a six-way tie for fifth place after Round 1, with a one-under par 71. Wessel had four birdies for his round. Senior Zach Theime’s round of 74 included three birdies, while freshman Eli Wessel and sophomore Owen Nielsen both carded 79s, with one birdie each.
The Shamrocks were led by sophomore Jake Cesare, who drained three birdies on his way to a one-under par 71, putting him in that large tie for fifth place. Senior Alec Cesare made four birdies while finishing even at 72, and sophomore Will Harvey totaled a 73 with two birdies. Seniors Cam Kooi added a 77 and Matt Shull totaled a 79.
Westfield’s Cam Kooi talks with his father Jeff Kooi after finishing his first round at Prairie View on Tuesday. (Richie Hall)
“Five over 293 is a great score for Prairie View and the state finals,” said Westfield coach Josh Bryant. “Tomorrow will be a different day, different setup. We’ve played with Guerin a lot this year and have gone back and forth and I’m sure it’s going to be fun with those guys, as well as Valpo, HSE and Bloomington South.”
Southeastern and Bloomington South are tied for fourth place after the first day, as both scored 304s. Royals junior Nate Benson was his team’s low man with a 74, making a birdie on the first hole and the 18th hole.
Hamilton Southeastern’s Nate Benson led the Royals during their first round of play. (Richie Hall)
Sophomore Kai Warner scored a 75, making three birdies, while senior Cole Starnes had one birdie during his round of 76. Senior Lane Zedrick’s score of 79 included two birdies, and freshman Mattingly Upchurch had two birdies in his round of 80.
Noblesville scored a 315, placing the Millers 11th after the first round. Seniors Cooper Claussen and Will Perkins and junior Alex Peck all had 78s for Noblesville. Claussen and Perkins both drained two birdies, while Peck made one. Senior Drew Decker scored an 81, while junior Brady Mangin totaled an 85, with one birdie.
Carmel junior Mason Price had an amazing round, scoring a one-under par 71 to put him in the fifth-place tie. Price had two eagles during Tuesday’s play, both on par-five holes. He eagled the third hole, then repeated that feat on the 13th hole. Price also made three birdies.
Play begins today at Prairie View at 8 a.m. A list of the tee times for county players is shown elsewhere on the page.
AT PRAIRIE VIEW
Team scores: Guerin Catholic 291, Westfield 293, Valparaiso 303, Hamilton Southeastern 304, Bloomington South 304, Evansville North 307, Zionsville 309, Tipton 309, Columbus North 310, Center Grove 313, Noblesville 315, Leo 318, Chesterton 320, Floyd Central 323, Homestead 325, Penn 326, Evansville Memorial 339, Northridge 355.
Individual leaders: Jacob Modleski (Guerin Catholic) 67; Aidan Guiterrez (Valparaiso) 67.
Other Guerin Catholic scores: Leo Wessel 71, Zach Thieme 74, Owen Nielsen 79, Eli Wessel 79.
Westfield scores: Jake Cesare 71, Alec Cesare 72, Will Harvey 73, Cam Kooi 77, Matt Shull 79.
Southeastern scores: Nate Benson 74, Kai Warner 75, Cole Starnes 76, Lane Zedrick 79, Mattingly Upchurch 80.
Noblesville scores: Cooper Claussen 78, Will Barnes 78, Alex Peck 78, Drew Decker 81, Brady Mangin 85.
Carmel score: Mason Price 71.
Hamilton County tee times
First Tee
8:09 a.m. – Mason Price, Carmel
9:03 a.m. – Lane Zedrick, Hamilton Southeastern
9:12 a.m. – Mattingly Upchurch, Hamilton Southeastern
9:21 a.m. – Nate Benson, Hamilton Southeastern
9:30 a.m. – Kai Warner, Hamilton Southeastern
9:39 a.m. – Cole Starnes, Hamilton Southeastern
9:48 a.m. – Owen Nielsen, Guerin Catholic; Will Harvey, Westfield
9:57 a.m. – Zach Thieme, Guerin Catholic; Matt Shull, Westfield
10:06 a.m. – Eli Wessel, Guerin Catholic; Cam Kooi, Westfield
10:15 a.m. – Leo Wessel, Guerin Catholic; Jake Cesare, Westfield
10:24 a.m. – Jacob Modleski, Guerin Catholic; Alec Cesare, Westfield
10th Tee
9:48 a.m. – Brady Mangin, Noblesville
9:57 a.m. – Drew Decker, Noblesville
10:06 a.m. – Cooper Claussen, Noblesville
10:15 a.m. – Will Barnes, Noblesville
10:24 a.m. – Alex Peck, Noblesville