SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
SALINA, Kan. — Hutchinson-Trinity Catholic punched its ticket to the Class 2A state boys golf tournament with a runner-up finish Monday at the Sacred Heart regional held at Salina Municipal Golf Course.
The Celtics shot a team total of 319, finishing behind perennial power Salina Sacred Heart (307) and ahead of third-place Ellinwood (355) to secure one of three team qualifying spots.
Trinity Catholic was led by senior Tyler Casebolt, who placed third individually with a 6-over-par 76. Three more Celtics, Miles Blaylock (80), Lincoln Barnes (81), and Seamus Hogan (82), joined Casebolt in the top 10, while Matt Armour and Ian Shaw each carded 88s to round out Trinity’s lineup.
Inman did not advance as a team, finishing seventh with a 449. However, Creighton Fries earned an individual state berth after shooting a 97, which tied for 23rd overall and landed him among the top five individual qualifiers not on a state-advancing team.
Sterling’s Cameron Morris carded an 85, placing ninth overall and earning one of the five individual state berths for players not on a qualifying team. Teammates Waylon Schmidt (95) and Lane Weigel (106) rounded out the Black Bears' scoring.
Inman’s top finisher was Creighton Fries, who shot 97 and tied for 23rd. Keetan McEuen added a 111, followed by Braeden Stutzman (118) and Brett Jerrick (123).
The top five individual qualifiers not on advancing teams were Morris (Sterling), Colten Gehrke (Herington), Karson Sasse (Smith Center), Cole Kirchoff (Smith Center), and Breken Coup (Solomon).
The Class 2A state tournament will be held May 27-28 at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson.