It’s been a long-time coming for Monticello’s seniors.
“My teammates are great this year — it’s all about the team here,” said senior Evan Childress. “We’re thrilled to finally go to states as a team.”
The Mustangs’ strong senior class of Childress, Kevin Archer and Carson Wilmer powered Monticello to the Region II title at Old Trail in Crozet and, in turn, a team berth in the Group AA championship tournament next week. Monticello scored a cumulative 300, with Childress’ 71, the low score for the championship, leading the way.
Western Albemarle finished second with a 306 to also qualify for the Group AA tournament.
The Mustangs cut 10 strokes off their score last week at Old Trail during the Jefferson District championships despite again battling a soggy course.
“We all seemed to stick in there even with the conditions how they were,” Archer said.
Childress, who made the Group AA tournament as an individual in 2010, opened up with a birdie and he overcame a double bogey on the 10th hole, which last week gave Western’s Brett Engle, who went on to card the lowest score of the Jefferson District championship, a lot of trouble too.
“It’s kind of wide and then it gets tight so it’s visually intimidating,” Childress said. “It’s a long second shot and not a really easy green. It’s not my favorite hole on the course for sure.”
Childress shook off the tough hole and put together a 35 on the back nine to outpace a trio of golfers — including Archer — who carded 72s in a tie for second place. Wilmer had a 79 for the Mustangs while freshman Ryan Pace shot a 78 to round out Monticello’s scoring. Pace, a freshman, was a critical piece of the puzzle in launching the Mustangs to a state title berth.
“That was a big score for us today — he’s been playing pretty consistent here of late,” Bradley said. “They feed off of each other and that’s what’s made us successful from the beginning this year. Hopefully this will continue on.”
Austin Yoon and Michael Comer will also play for Monticello in the state tournament.
The Warriors, who beat the Mustangs by 16 strokes just a week ago at Old Trail, didn’t get the kind of top-end low scoring that helped push them to a title last week. Landon Weis and Brett Engle were again Western’s low scorers, checking in with a 74 and 75 respectively. Alex O’Dell and Hunter Weis filled out the card with a 77 and an 80.
“I’m just happy we survived and advanced and that’s what it’s really about this time of year,” said Western coach Darren Maynard. “Sure, we’d liked to have won it but you’ve got to take your hat off to Monticello they played great and deserved it.”
Several other local golfers competed as individuals Monday but were unable to advance to the state tournament, with 75 proving to be a challenging cutoff point for most of those golfers. Louisa County’s Joe Azursin got the closest with a 79.
Monticello’s class of seniors first really exploded on the scene as sophomores with a huge year as Wilmer and Childress made a big impact and challenged Western’s supremacy at the top of the Jefferson. The return of Archer after a stint on the football team in fall cemented an already strong lineup and set the stage for Monday’s solid performance in less-than-ideal conditions at Old Trail.
Wilmer, for one, knows how to enjoy the Region II title. The senior was, as usual, all smiles after the match.
“You know what, I am thrilled,” Wilmer said. “It’s four years in the making, Evan pulling through in the clutch, Kevin always looks good. We did this for the Mustangs.”
