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Valparaiso sophomore Aidan Gutierrez tapped in for birdie on the third playoff hole to claim the state individual title while Guerin Catholic walked off with the team crown in the 85th edition of the boys state finals at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel.

Gutierrez, who shot a 67 on Wednesday and led the field after finishing his two rounds at 142 (-2), held off a challenge from Indianapolis Cathedral senior Ryan Ford who rallied to force the playoff. Ford played the front nine last and finished with six birdies in a seven-hole span, including a birdie putt on No. 8 and a par on No. 9.

After saving par on both of the first two playoff holes, Gutierrez birdied the par-5, No. 18 (the players repeated No. 18 all three playoff holes) to take medalist honors. After each of his drives, Gutierrez was about 250 yards away and went for the green with his second shot using a three-iron. On the third extra hole, he placed a long putt about two feet from the hole and tapped in for the victory. It was the first three-hole playoff since 1994 and Gutierrez became the second Valpo golfer to win the sate championship joining Gary Krueger in 1979.

The race for the team title also came down to the wire as Guerin Catholic and Westfield both held leads during the final round.

Guerin held a four-stroke advantage heading into the final round and the two teams were dead even as the final group walked to 18. In the end, junior Jacob Modleski birdied the final hole which proved the difference in the Golden Eagles one-stroke victory (602-6-3) and first state championship. Guerin was coached by Mark Mathews and had finished as the state runner-up to Center Grove by a single shot a year ago.

Modleski, last year's state runner-up, was the highest placing Eagles player with a 145 (+1), good for a fifth-place tie. Teammate Leo Wessel ended tied for 10th at 148 (+4) and Connor McNeely, who held a one-shot lead after the first day at -1, finished tied for 17th with a 151 (+7).

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

Carter was the lone senior on his team which was making the school's first appearance in the state finals since 1939. He graduated with a 3.74 GPA, completed 45 hours of dual credit during his career and earned scholarships from the Silver Creek Career Academy for his leadership and academic success.

Carter is the son of Kevin and Heather Smith of Sellersburg, Ind. and plans to study accounting at Ball State University while playing golf for the Cardinals. He is the first Silver Creek golfer to be honored with the award and the second student-athlete from his school this year joining classmate Emme Rooney who won in 3A girls basketball last winter.

With the award, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance presented $1,000 to Silver Creek High School's general scholarship fund in the name of Carter Smith.

The Executive 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 late long-time state tournament director.

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