MANSFIELD — After losing two-time All-Ohioan Josh Brooks to graduation, Crestview was supposed to come back to earth this fall.
It turns out the Cougars like the view from the stratosphere.
Led by medalist Bryce Lutz’s 2-under 69, Crestview cruised to the team title at the nine-team Tyger Invitational at Twin Lakes on Friday.
The Cougars carded a team total of 301, 28 strokes ahead of runner-up Ontario (329). Clear Fork (334) was third.
How dominant was Crestview on Friday? The Cougars’ score of 301 was two strokes better than their winning score at last year’s Tyger Invitational.
“We lost a vital piece to our team when Josh graduated but we’re still capable of low numbers with the guys we have,” said senior Ben Olewiler, who backed Lutz with a round of even par 71. “We have three seniors who are four-year lettermen. We’ve been through it all before.”
The third member of Crestview’s terrific triumvirate is Michael Staniford, who shot a 76.
“That’s what you want out of your leaders — 69, 71 and 76,” Crestview coach Bob Olewiler said. “We have three four-year lettermen who have been to state each of the past two years. You can’t teach that kind of experience.
“I was looking back at some of our team photos from seven or eight years ago and all three of those boys were in the pictures. They would come out with the team when they were in fifth grade.”
An All-Ohio first teamer two year ago, Lutz worked his way around Twin Lakes’ 6,343-yard layout with relative ease. Were it not for two late bogeys, he may have gone even lower than 69.
“I was driving the ball well and, for the most part, I putted well,” Lutz said. “I was pleased with the way everybody played.”
1, 1A and 1B: The Cougars don’t have a No. 1 player — they have three. Lutz, Olewiler and Staniford are all capable of leading the way.
“It’s a luxury,” Lutz said. “If one of us doesn’t play well, usually one of the other guys will step up and play well.”
The Cougars have played in four invitationals this season and won three of them. In addition to the Tyger Invitational, Crestview won the season-opening Simonson Construction Invitational hosted by Mapleton and the Hillsdale Invitational.
“These guys don’t feel pressure anymore,” Bob Olewiler said. “They’ve got ice water running through their veins.”
Encore of an encore: Two years ago, Crestview won a Division III state championship at North Star Resort in Sunbury. Last year the Cougars were third at state on Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.
What is left to do?
“Our expectation is to go to state,” Ben Olewiler said. “We do have some pressure on us, but we have been through it all before.”
Strong showing: Ontario’s runner-up finish didn’t come as a surprise to coach Rod Miller.
“Can we shoot better? Yes, but any time you come in around 320 for an 18-hole event, you’re going to be competitive,” Miller said. “I’m pleased with the effort. We’ve got a couple of freshman, so consistency is going to be an issue.”
The Warriors were led by Tyler Weber and Marc Wilkins, who each carded 80.
“We’re seven strong, which is going to make it difficult when we get to the tournament and you can only take five,” Miller said. “But that is a good problem to have.”
Colts rolling: It has been a solid season for the Colts, who finished third Friday. Clear Fork was led by Dakotah McClain’s 81. Luke Watson and Devon Shortridge shot 82.
“The boys were probably a little disappointed with a third-place finish, but we were playing good competition on a coure we don’t often play on,” Clear Fork coach Jeff Gottfried said. “Luke has been playing consistently as our No. 1 player and pulling some of the other guys along with him.”
Rams rebound: Madison had a rough outing at Ashland on Tuesday, but coach Eric Wellman was pleased to see his players bounce back Friday. Austin Hallabrin and Jacob Seamans led the way with 85s.
“We’re still not playing consistently, but it’s good to see them come back strong,” Wellman said. “We got 85s from Austin and Jacob and they each had one bad hole. Jacob had an 11 on one hole, then played the next six holes in 1 under.”
Small Steps: First-year Mansfield Senior coach Scott Toney has liked the improvement he has seen through the first half of the season. The Tygers finished eighth Friday.
“There is always room for improvement, but our guys played pretty well,” Toney said. “I was expecting a little more maybe, but you always want that.”
“That’s what you want out of your leaders — 69, 71 and 76,” Crestview coach Bob Olewiler said. “We have three four-year lettermen who have been to state each of the past two years. You can’t teach that kind of experience.”
