National Trail’s boys golf team finished sixth at the OHSAA state tournament Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12 at NorthStar Golf Club in Sunbury.
Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
SUNBURY — A historic season came to end for National Trail’s boys golf team this past weekend with a Top 10 finish at the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state tournament.
Making their first trip in school history, the Blazers participated in the state tournament on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12, and finished sixth in Division III.
The two-day tournament took place at NorthStar Golf Club in Sunbury.
“This was by far the toughest course we have played this year, but the boys were up for the challenge and came away with two rounds of 333 and 325 to take sixth place,” National Trail coach Ramon Rutan said.
The Blazers were led on the first day by freshman Josh Brubaker who shot 80. Junior Kellen Laird followed with 83, senior Nick Brubaker came in with 84, and senior Justin Turner rounded out day one’s scoring with an 86. Senior Aidan Koehl shot 94 for the non-scoring spot.
“It was a very tough course, and yesterday was windy, tough conditions. I thought we did well,” Rutan said moments after his team completed its round on Saturday. “We kind of stayed in it, but we’re just a notch below those top teams. I felt like we were as good as anybody in the state. I think with how we came out and played, I think it showed that we belong with the top teams here.”
On day two the Blazers were led by Nick Brubaker who shot 78 with abirdie on his final hole of his high school career. Laird followed with a 79, Turner shot 82, and Josh Brubaker fired an 85. Koehl shot 100 in the non-scoring spot.
Overall, Nick Brubaker and Laird finished in 23rd place with matching 162s, Josh Brubaker had a 165 and finished in 32nd place, and Turner had a 168 and finished in 39th place. Koehl finished at 194 and 66th place.
“It was a great showing for the team, finishing only seven shots out of 3rd place,” Rutan said. “A special thanks to the seniors Nick Brubaker, Justin Turner, and Aidan Koehl. These three have helped elevate the program to one of the best in the state. This isn’t the end, though. There is a ton of talented golfers at National Trail and we will reload next year to continue what this group has started.”
Rutan said when the team met in January to set goals for this season and making a trip to state was at the top of the list.
“There’s been a ton of work go into it. The boys have worked their butt off and not just this year. This has been years in the making to build. So yeah, a lot of credit to them,” Rutan said. “That was definitely the goal. We got together in January and we kind of outlined everything. And last year we had goals outside of all that, and this year was really just this (state). We wanted to get here and get the experience too. We knew that we were good enough, but we also kind of needed to get out here against some of these teams that we’ll never see, other than at a state tournament, and compete with them. So it’s been pretty neat.”
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.
