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Thanks to senior teammates Christian Fairbanks and Michael VanDeventer tying for overall medalist honors, the Columbus North boys golf team finally broke through again for the IHSAA state championship at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin.

The second-ranked Bull Dogs of coach Doug Bieker led wire-to-wire finishing at 299-292-591, 11 strokes ahead of runner-up and defending champion Westfield (306-296-602). It was Columbus North's second boys golf state title and first since 1934. CN finished second twice in the last four years, including 2011, when they lost on the fifth player tiebreaker for their state-leading sixth runner-up finish.

Top-ranked Hamilton Southeastern finished 12 back at 303-300-603. Carmel (302-302-604) and Pendleton Heights (305-299-604) ended tied for fourth.

Fairbanks (71-70-141) and VanDeventer (70-71-141) became the first teammates in the 78-year history to tie for medalist honors and the third and fourth players to win from their school. Normal protocol calls for a playoff to determine the overall winner but tournament officials met with the two players after the final hole and co-medalists were declared. It was the sixth time a tie for first place had occurred and the first since 1963.

Nick Waskom (81-75-156), Ian Coffey (77-76-153) and Zack Lee (85-89-174), all seniors as well, were the other scoring players for Columbus North.

VanDeventer had been a co-leader with Evansville Central's Dylan Meyer after Tuesday's opening round. Meyer, the 2012 runner-up, finished one stroke back of the winners in third place at 70-72-142. Mishawaka Marian's Michael Makris ended fourth after carding the best second round score (-4) to finish 75-68-143.

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Columbus North's VanDeventer named Mental Attitude Award winner
At the conclusion of the state finals, Michael VanDeventer of Columbus North High School was selected as the winner of the Fred A. Keesling Mental Attitude Award by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.

VanDeventer ended his high school career with four straight top 20 finishes at the state finals and helped his team to its fourth consecutive top four finish which included this year's state championship and a pair of runner-up seasons. Academically, he ranks among the top 15 percent of students in his senior class.

He is the son of Jeff and Kathy VanDeventer of Columbus and will attend Ball State University to study Exercise Science and play for the golf team.

The Committee presented $1,000 to Columbus North High School's general scholarship fund in the name of VanDeventer.

The Committee presents the Fred A. Keesling Award to the outstanding senior participant during the state finals each year. 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.