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Center Grove began the final round of the IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals in second place but tore it up over the last 18 holes setting records and earning the school's first state championship in the sport.

Three Trojans finished among the top six players lead by junior Noah Gillard who earned overall individual honors with a two-day total (72-66-138) and became his school's first boys golf state medalist. Perry Meridian senior Nick Osterburg finished two strokes back (70-70-140) with Center Grove junior Sam Jean in third (77-66-143). Trojan senior Ethan Shepherd (71-73-144), Park Tudor freshman Nels Surtani (72-72-144) and Columbus North senior Matt Vorndran (74-70-144) all tied for fourth.

Along with sophomore Logan Anderson who finished 16th overall at (72-76-148) and classmate Luke DeHaven at (77-80-157), Center Grove set state finals records for 18 and 36 holes on Wednesday. Coached by Matt Rodman, their 281 over the final 18 bested the mark of 283 shared by Columbus North (2011) and Noblesville (2013), both set at The Legends Golf Club. The team's two-day 573 surpassed the 575 set by Westfield in 2013, also at The Legends.

Second-ranked Carmel, which held a six-stroke lead after Day 1, finished as this year's state runner-up (286-300-586), followed by third-ranked and two-time defending champ Westfield (293-301-594), fifth-ranked Noblesville (300-298-598) and No. 11 Columbus North (305-303-608) rounded out the top five.

Wednesday's round was uninterrupted by weather with highs in the upper 80s but Tuesday's opening round endured a pair of lightning delays that totaled two hours and 52 minutes before finishing.

Carmel's Kevin Stone named Mental Attitude Award recipient
At the conclusion of the state finals, Kevin Stone of Carmel High School was selected as the winner of the Fred A. Keesling Mental Attitude Award by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

Stone is a four-year varsity letter winner in golf and has won five 18-hole tournaments this season and placed third at three others for the Greyhounds.

Academically, he carried a 3.98 GPA while taking one of the toughest schedules that his school offered through Advanced Placement, Honors and AP Capstone courses. He also participated in the first year of Carmel's Transition to College program that places him in a college setting for his classes and schedule to challenge him for his next level of education.

"Kevin is the glue that holds our team together and models the work ethic of a champion at practice," said Carmel coach Chard Reid. "Kevin has taken three of our underclassmen under his wings this year and taught them how to think through high pressure rounds. He has set an example for future teams in how to lead and do it with great sportsmanship and class."

Kevin is the son of Brian and Sharon Stone of Carmel and plans to major in Business while playing golf at Ohio State.

The Committee presented $1,000 to Carmel High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Kevin Stone.

The Committee presents the Fred A. Keesling Award to the outstanding senior participant during the state finals each year dating back to 1971. The recipient of the award, nominated by his principal and coach, was determined to have best demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability in boys golf. The award is named after the former long-time state tournament director.

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