CARMEL, Ind. – Senior Matt Vorndran fired a 2-under-par 70 on Wednesday (June 14) for a two-round total of 144, tying for fourth individually and leading the Columbus North boys golf team to a fifth-place team finish in the IHSAA State Finals.

                Together, the Bull Dogs had a two-day team total of 305-303—608 over the par-72 layout at Prairie View Golf Club, finishing 35 strokes behind champion Center Grove.

                “We played really well,” Columbus North coach Doug Bieker said. “I’m really proud of our players. They played super.”

                The Trojans – with three players finishing in the top six – had a second-day, one-round-record 281 for a two-round-record 573 total en route to the program’s first state crown in boys golf. Carmel, the first-day leader, had a 286-300—586 for second place followed by Westfield (293-301—594), Noblesville (300-298—598) and Columbus North.

                Individually, Center Grove junior Noah Gillard posted a 6-under 66 to go with a first-day 72 for a 138 total to claim medalist honors. Perry Meridian senior Nick Osterburg was runner-up with a 70-70—140 and Center Grove junior Sam Jean placed third with a 77-66—143.

                Vorndran, Center Grove senior Ethan Shepherd (71-73—144) and Park Tudor freshman Nels Surtani (72-72—144) tied for fourth place.

                “I’m very pleased for Matt,” Bieker said. “His earning all-state and placing fourth, it’s nice end to his high school career.”

                Senior Spencer Fairbanks tied for 27^th place individually with a 74-78—152 for Columbus North. Also, CN senior Bryce Turner tied for 39^th with a 76-78—154, sophomore Henry Kiel tied for 65^th with an 83-77—160 and sophomore Drew Smith tied for 78^th with an 81-82—163.

                “It’s sad to see our seniors leave,” Bieker said of Vorndran, Fairbanks and Turner. “But I am happy how they are ending by achieving a goal of making the State Finals and playing well there.”

                Carmel senior Kevin Stone was winner of the IHSAA’s Fred A. Keesling Mental Attitude Award. Stone carried a 3.98 grade-point average and plans to major in business while playing golf at Ohio State.

2017 BOYS GOLF STATE FINALS

At Prairie View Golf Club

Second of Two Rounds

Par 72

Team Scores

1, Center Grove                                   292-281—573 * **

2, Carmel                                           286-300—586

3, Westfield                                        293-301—594

4, Noblesville                                      300-298—598

5, Columbus North                              305-303—608

6, Zionsville                                        307-306—613

7, Evansville North                              307-307—614

8, Bedford North Lawrence                  310-306—616

9, Park Tudor                                     307-315—622

10, Fort Wayne Dwenger                     321-302—623

11, Homestead                                    315-309—624

12, Fishers                                         320-318—638 #

13, Castle                                           324-314—638

14, Cathedral                                       332-315—647

15, Carroll (Fort Wayne)                       336-322—658

                *Second round 281 is a one-round State Finals record

                ** Two-round total of 573 is a State Finals record

                # Fishers placed ahead of Castle with a better fifth-player’s score

Individual Leaders

1, Noah Gillard, 11, Center Grove                72-66—138

2, Nick Osterburg, 12, Perry Meridian         70-70—140

3, Sam Jean, 11, Center Grove                   77-66—143

4, Matt Vorndran, 12, Columbus North         74-70—144

4, Ethan Shepherd, 12, Center Grove           71-73—144

4, Nels Surtani, 9, Park Tudor                     72-72—144

7, Nicholas Dentino, 10, Carmel                  72-73—145

7, Andrew Lewis, 11, Westfield                    72-73—145

7, Joey Ranieri, 11, Zionsville                       74-71—145

7, Kevin Stone, 12, Carmel                          71-74—145

7, Austin Vukovits, 11, Cathedral                  74-71—145

12, Clay Merchant, 10, Noblesville                77-69—146

13, Drew Alexander, 12, Hamilton SE           74-73—147

13, Jacob Deakyne, 10, Noblesville              74-73—147

13, Noah Shanteau, 12, Westfield                69-78—147

Other Columbus North scores

T27, Spencer Fairbanks, 12                        74-78—152

T39, Bryce Turner, 12                                 76-78—154

T65, Henry Kiel, 10                                    83-77—160

T78, Drew Smith, 10                                  81-82—163