The Hockinson boys golf team has been building toward this goal for four years.
To Nick Huff and Jarred Gomez, it seems like just yesterday they were freshmen on the Hawks team.
Now, as seniors, they are state champions.
The Hawks posted 119 points to outdistance W.F. West’s 88 and claim the 2A state golf team title on Wednesday at Chambers Bay in University Place.
“The boys all played well,” Hockinson coach Dennis DeWitt said. “They’ve had their sights on a state title the last four years. They’ve busted their tails practicing and getting ready.”
Huff placed sixth overall (77-76–153), three shots in front of teammate Diego De La Torre (77-79–156), who tied for seventh.
Gomez was 13th (80-82–162), and Casey Turner was 18th (81-84–165) to round out the team scoring.
“It seems like yesterday,” Huff said of when he started as a freshman with the Hockinson program.
Huff said he got off to a hot start before the weather got rough.
“I made a few mistakes, but finished with a birdie on 18,” he said adding that playing in the weather was a big advantage for Hockinson. “We’ve played in rain and snow.”
Gomez said this course, which will be used for the 2015 U.S. Open, was a challenge.
“I started off pretty poorly. I was 4-over through five holes. Then I found some birds on 15 and 16.
“On the front nine I was hitting good shots, just hitting bad spots. It’s so hard to get up and down here.”
DeWitt said another advantage for Hockinson was that it’s players had been on the Chambers Bay course before the state tournament, playing in junior events.
“If you don’t know where to put the ball, you will pay the price,” DeWitt said.
Ephrata’s Aaron Whalen won the individual title with a 140 (71-69).
Washougal’s Beau Scott placed ninth (78-79–157).
2A GIRLS — Hockinson’s Kelsey Whiles placed fifth at The Classic in Spanaway, as the Hawks finished fifth in the team standings.
Whiles shot two rounds of 85. Isabella Koenig was 30th and Shelby LaTourrette tied for 31st for Hockinson.
Cheorkee Kim of Steilacoom won with a 156 total (77-79).
Bellingham won the team title.
1A BOYS — Woodland’s Tanner Huddleston, who just came off baseball season, finished in a three-way tie at Lake Spanaway Golf Course with a 76-79–155 total.
Ilwaco’s Ross Kukula won the individual title with a 139 total (71-68), leading the Fishermen to the team title.
1A GIRLS — Woodland came away with the team title as it was the only team with two golfers in the final round.
Sesca Jouwsma tied for ninth with a 175 (87-88), and Kaitlyn Troyer tied for 18th.
Goldendale’s Bree Wanderscheid won the individual title with a 145 (74-71).
