Crestview nabs first sectional title on the links since 2014

GALION ― It took Crestview golf coach Rick Belcher a few moments to remember when the Cougars last won a sectional title.

"That probably dates back to when we won state," he said of 2012. They defended their sectional crown the next two seasons as well.

At Valley View on Thursday, Belcher's group didn't even anticipate competing for the sectional title. Instead, they were just focused on getting to districts.

"We expected to come in and give the third spot a real good (battle)," Belcher said. "But I definitely felt we had three individuals that could make it out. Our plan was to advance as a team if possible, but if not we planned on having a few individuals."

Instead, the Cougars totaled a 339 to finish first in the Division III event. Teeing off in the first wave of teams, the majority of the afternoon was spent anxiously refreshing the OHSAA Golf app.

"We were watching the scoreboard the whole time," Belcher said. "We knew we were right there, and we knew some teams could come in right there with us, but it was nice seeing that six-shot cushion."

Crestview (339) watched as group-mate Colonel Crawford came in with a 347, then the trio of Calvert, Ridgemont, and Wynford were battling for the final two team qualifying spots. But led by sophomore twins Carter and Cole Bowman, the Cougars began to breathe sighs of relief as final scores were tallied.

Carter fired a 75 for co-medalist honors, Cole's 80 was fifth-best among individuals, senior Kaden Dickerson shot a 90, sophomore Kayn Patton a 94, and freshman Zander Washburn's 100 was the drop.

"Starting off the day the boys were really focused and had a good mindset going into it," Belcher said. "My two man wanted to shoot better, he three-putted the last two greens and that kind of disappointed him, but hey, we came through as a team."

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Calvert and Ridgemont tied at 345 but saw the Senecas claim runner-up honors thanks to the fifth-score tiebreak. And that meant Wynford was on the outside looking in — by a single stroke.

"A lot of people say they'd just rather not been close at all, but I was walking up with Dawson (Pelter) — here we go again," Wynford coach Michael Powers said. "He goes par-par last week to win the N10 tournament and he knows what he's got to do again.

"He makes a great six-foot par putt on 17 then comes up to 18, hits a great shot — everybody's watching, he's the last person on the course — and I said this is what it's all about. It stinks missing by one, but it's also a great feeling for everybody to be watching knowing something's on the line, that's pretty cool."

Senior Weston Prenger led the way with a 79, fourth among individuals and good enough to secure an at-large bid for districts held at Stone Ridge Golf Club in Bowling Green.

"Wes has been the leader of this team," Powers said. "Him and Micah Greene were our No. 1 and No. 2 a couple years ago when we got our first N10 championship, and Wes really took on that leadership role the last couple years. It's only right that if we have one going out, it's it's him."

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Freshman Clay Rogers carded an 86 as the lone underclassman, seniors Briar Ridge (89), Pelter (92), and Drew Johnson (103) rounded out the day.

"Mid 350s makes it out last year," Powers said. "And you just never know year to year. Ridgemont last year, they weren't a very good team, but they put things together today to shoot the score they shot.

"And Ashland Crestview, 339 is a great score. We knew Calvert was good, we played in a couple tournaments with them and they're very similar to us. But it's literally a game of strokes, every stroke counts."

Right behind the Royals was rival Colonel Crawford, again by a single stroke.

"I'm super proud of our guys and our effort," Eagles coach Nate Hill said. "We only had one guy that played in this last year, and for us to have a young team come out and play the way we did, I couldn't be happier.

"It burns a little bit, they wanted to keep grinding, but two shots away from going there and when we haven't even sniffed it before is fantastic."

Over the last 10 years the highest the Eagles have finished at sectionals was sixth in 2014 with a 381. And their average score across that period was a 416.4 at sectionals.

Freshman Bryant Berry shot an 82 to finish seventh overall, sophomore Bryce Durham carded an 85, freshman Graden Riggle an 89, freshman Evan Keller 91, and sophomore Colton Hopkins was the drop with a 98.

"I'm excited for the next couple years since we're fairly young," Hill said. "Three freshmen and three sophomores returning varsity-wise. And we got a couple more guys coming, we're super excited about the future."

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This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Crestview nabs first sectional title on the links since 2014