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Chargers golfers fifth best at state

Oct 31, 2019 03:20PM ● By Catherine Garrett

The Corner Canyon High boys golf team came in second to Lone Peak in Region 4 and then finished fifth at the 6A state tournament at Meadow Brook Sept. 30–Oct. 1. (Photos courtesy Jon Clifford, All Star Photogra

By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

Junior Caysen Wright tied for seventh place at the 6A state golf tournament, taking All-State honors, in leading the Corner Canyon boys golf team to fifth overall at Meadow Brook Golf Course Sept. 30–Oct. 1. The Chargers finished with a score of 600, 36 strokes back of champion Lone Peak. 

Wright shot a 77 the first day and was in a tie for 32nd going into the second day before shooting a four-under-68 to finish in the top 10. “It felt great to go low after a bad day,” he said. “That’s always a goal for everyone, and the fact that I was trying to go around 68 and ended up shooting it really gave me confidence in my potential and abilities going into next year.”

Head coach Derek Fox said, “We struggled in day one, but finished with the second lowest score on day two. Fifth place isn’t what we were hoping for, but sometimes in golf things just don’t go your way.”

All-Region senior Gabe Schino said the team was disappointed with their finish at the tournament. “We were obviously hoping to win a state championship, but we felt like we definitely could have taken second to Lone Peak,” he said. “We were happy we were able to play and compete as a team though.”

Sophomore All-Region player Jackson Mauss shot a 74 the first day and was just three shots back before a 77 on the second day put him outside the top 10. “I didn’t feel as good the second day,” he said. “The putts were not dropping.” 

Schino, who was a low medalist at two tournaments for the Chargers this season, said he was disappointed in his first day at state in shooting an 82, but was encouraged with his 73 on the last 18 holes. The senior had his best year of high school golf this season as he lowered his scoring average by seven strokes — to a 72 — while taking third in the region. 

Senior All-Region player Jackson Bench also had a rough couple of days during the tournament, with rounds of 78 and 79. “I went into state feeling good about my game, and I got off to a tough start, which put me behind the eight ball early,” he said. “It was a tough two days for me, but I feel like it can only make me a better player learning from the mistakes I made.”

Sophomore Maddox Vincent had a 77 and 76, and senior Tate Simpson’s 84 and 83 rounded out the scoring at state for Corner Canyon.

Also on the CCHS 2019 team who finished second in Region 4 were seniors Andrew Dolphin, Crew Jensen, Will Jensen and Josh Kener; juniors Tanner Boyle and Jake Branca; sophomores Coda Anderson, Jantzen Anderson, Harrison Dana and Jack Sexton; and freshmen Gavin Dosch and Zach Labrum.

“I am extremely proud of how the team grinded and improved over the course of the year,” Fox said.

Fox was assisted by Jordan Bloxham and Brian Rueckert on the coaching staff.

“Our coaching staff is as good as it gets,” Wright said. “They actually help the best when you finally listen to them. I finally did the last day at state and look what happened.”

Bench agreed. “We are pretty lucky to have the coaches we do,” he said. “They have so much knowledge about the game. Not only did they improve us as golfers, but they care more about us as individuals.”

Fox said he is excited for the future of CCHS golf. “We have a strong young core that are hungry and ready to start off season training to try and make up ground and contend for state over the next couple seasons,” he said.