TIFFIN, Ohio — Madison’s Jacob Koehler and River Wiseman ended a lengthy postseason drought Tuesday afternoon.
Koehler carded an 83 and Wiseman fired an 87 at the Division I sectional tournament at Mohawk Golf & Country Club, earning individual qualifying spots to next week’s district tournament.
“This is my fifth year and this is the first time we’ve had anyone make it through the sectional,” Madison coach Eric Wellman said. “I’m kind of stunned. I don’t know what to say.”
Koehler and Wiseman were the top two individual finishers not on a qualifying team. The top five teams and top five individuals earned spots in next Thursday’s Division I district at Red Hawk Run.
“We played the back first and it was playing a lot harder than the front,” Wellman said. “Jacob came in with a 40 and River was at 45 and I thought they might have a shot.
“I’m really happy for both of them. We haven’t sent a golfer to the district in a long time and this year we’re sending two.”
Champs: Ashland topped the 13 team field with a 311. All four of the Arrows’ scorers shot in the 70s.
“Any time you have four players in the 70s, you’ve got a chance,” Ashland coach Dave Chapman said. “The course was playing a little tougher than they thought it would, but they put up some pretty good numbers.”
Sophomore Max Watson shot a 76 to finish as medalist runner-up. Beau Bayerl had a 77, while Johnny Peck and Spencer Daniels shot matching 79s. Tony Chardon carded an 86.
“Our No. 1 and No. 2 players (Bayerl and Peck) were a little disappointed with their rounds,” Chapman said. “There is still room for improvement.”
Surprise, Surprise: Lexington earned the fifth and final district-qualifying spot with a 344.
The Minutemen graduated just about everyone off last year’s team, which finished as sectional runner-up. Only Remington Dreibelbis returned.
“It’s always a surprise when you have such a young group,” first-year coach Troy Eichler said. “We’re very excited that we get to play another week.”
Taylor Wittmer led the Minutemen with an 82. Nick Stehle shot an 86 while Nick Offenburger and Jack Dials carded 88s. Dreibelbis, the lone senior of the bunch and Lexington’s No. 1 golfer, shot a 91.
“Remington was a little disappointed with his game, but he was out there supporting his teammates,” Eichler said. “All the boys felt like they left some shots out there, but they have themselves a chance.”
