Boys Golf State Finals: Center Grove Rallies For Title, Kruschwitz Leads Area Golfers
CARMEL – Wednesday presented itself as a banner day for the Center Grove boys golf team, winning its first state title at the IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals. The Trojans used a record-setting round to rally past Carmel for the championship.
Center Grove shot an electric 281 in its second day, led by a 66 from medalist Noah Gillard, to rally past Carmel, which held a six-shot lead after Tuesday’s round. Center Grove’s 292-281 posted a 573, which bested the Greyhounds’ 286-300-586 by a whopping 13 strokes. Westfield was third at 594.
Gillard finished his championship play with a two-day total of 138, with teammates Sam Jean third at 143 and Ethan Shepherd fourth at 144. Perry Meridian’s Nick Osterburg was second at 140.
Locally, Harley Kruschwitz of Manchester had the top area finish with his final total of 161, which tied two others for 69th overall. Kruschwitz, a freshman, posted an 81 to go with Tuesday’s 80. His Wednesday round featured a 39 on the front side, only marred by a pair of double bogeys on the back nine.
Northridge’s Luke Morrison and Plymouth’s Micah Calhoun both tied with 166s. Morrison shot an 86 Wednesday and Calhoun an 84.
Warsaw’s Sam Yeager concluded his first state finals with a final round 84 to finish at 167 for the tournament. The junior had two birdies and four double bogeys among his action Wednesday.
The top Warsaw Regional team finisher was champion Fort Wayne Dwenger in tenth at 623, followed by Homestead one back at 624 and Fort Wayne Carroll 15th at 658.
Dwenger’s Luke Miller and Homestead’s Austin Render tied for 28th at 152 to lead the regional teams.