ARCANUM — The Lehman Catholic boys golf team advanced to the Division III district tournament after finishing first out of 14 teams at the sectional tournament on Tuesday at Beechwood Golf Course.
The Cavaliers — coming off a second-place finish at sectionals a year ago — rode the triple threat of Tyler Lachey, Cole Gilardi and Ryan Schmidt to their first sectional title as team since 2011.
Lehman shot 341, good for a nine-shot victory over second-place Fort Loramie. The Redskins also advance to the district tournament with the No. 2 finish.
The Cavaliers and Redskins will play in the Div. III districts next Wednesday at Glenview Golf Course in Cincinnati. They’ll be joined by Botkins’ Nick Fischio, who qualified individually. Fischio finished No. 4 overall in the sectional with a 74. The top four teams qualify for the districts, as do the top four individuals not on a qualifying team.
“There was (a different expectation level) this year,” Lachey, who led Lehman with a 78, said. “We wanted to finish as high as we could today to give us a good draw (tee assignment) at district. When our first three guys play well, we know we are going to do well. And our fourth and fifth guys have been doing what they need to do.”
Lehman coach Eric Harlamert agreed.
“This has been almost a perfect season,” Harlamert said. “We won the (NWCC) title. We have won almost every match we have played. These kids have done a great job. Our first three guys are really solid and our fourth and fifth guys have been working hard and really coming on.”
Lachey finished fifth overall individually, while Gilardi was seventh with an 81. Schmidt had an 85 and Griffin West a 97.
It will be Lachey’s third-straight trip to district — and the third-straight year it will be played on a different course.
“Last year, it was at Beavercreek Golf Club,” Lachey said. “I went down and played Glenview a couple weeks ago. I liked it. Definitely, the goal is to get to state.”
And the Cavaliers aren’t done yet.
“We have several guys that played at district last year,” Harlamert said. “And a couple of them have already played the course in hopes of making it down there to district. The experience last year should help as well.”
Fort Loramie’s Zach Pleiman was tied with Gilardi for seventh with an 81. Craig Eilerman had an 89, while Mitchell Puthoff, Shea Swick and Eli Rosengarten each shot a 90.
Jackson Center finished sixth with 371. Bryce Sosby had an 88, Trent Platfoot had a 93, and Jordan Rizzo and Coltin Rose each had 95.
Houston finished eighth with 391. Cameron Via had an 86, Bryan Funk had a 97, and Collin Walker and Cole Pitchford had 104.
Riverside was ninth with a 396. Trey Lane had a 91, James Hudson a 97, John Zumberger a 103 and Jason Yoder a 105.
“The boys didn’t play their best today, but we say goodbye to four seniors, Trey, James, Jason and Greg,” Riverside coach Andy Phelps said. “These boys have been around for four years representing Riverside and they have done a great job. These boys will be missed greatly and hard to replace.”
Fairlawn was 11th with a 400. Doug Wright led the Jets with a 93, while Luke Hickman had a 100, Jackson Jones a 103 and Chester Hughes a 104.
Botkins finished 13th. Aside from Fischio, Anthony Opperman had a 100, Alex Bajwa had a 110 and Parker Geis had a 119.
Russia finished 13th with 420. Jack Dapore had a 96, Brandon Koverman a 100, Will Sherman a 108 and Evan Coverstone a 116.
Kuck qualifies for districts at Springfield Division II sectional
Anna’s Eli Kuck qualified for the Div. II districts on Tuesday in the Springfield Div. II sectional, which was played Tuesday at Reid Park.
Kuck tied for eighth overall with an 84 and earned the No. 3 spot as an individual not on a qualifying team.
Anna finished fifth overall with a 362, 10 strokes more than No. 4 Springfield Shawnee. Aside from Kuck, Mason Platfoot had an 88, Isaac Cain had a 94 and Evan Bensman had a 96.
Versailles’ boys played in the D-II sectional at Pipestone Golf Course on Wednesday, while Versailles’ girls played in D-II sectional at Stillwater Valley Golf Club on Wednesday.
