GRAND JUNCTION | The future looks bright for the Grandview boys golf team, which will have two freshmen appearing in the upcoming Class 5A state tournament.
Kenny VanWormer and Alex Chitkoksoong both will cap their debut seasons in high school with two more rounds, which will come at the 5A state tournament Oct. 1-2 at the Colorado Springs Country Club.
VanWormer shot a 5-over-par 77 at challenging Redlands Mesa G.C. to finish 10th and Chitkoksoong — younger brother of 2017 5A girls state champion Amy Chitkoksoong — came in tied for 12th with his 79 as they both earned state admission out of the 5A Western Regional tournament.
“We had a great weekend and I’m excited for those two freshmen,” Grandview coach Will Dodd told the Sentinel.
VanWormer had two birdies in his round, including one on the par-5 Hole No. 14, and made par on his final three holes to finish comfortably in state position. Chitkoksoong also made birdie on Hole No. 14, his only one of the round and it helped him stay out of danger.
Josh Stone shot 89 and Randy Conger added a 92 for the Wolves, who finished sixth in the team standings.
Eaglecrest, playing at regionals for the first time since the graduation of 2017 5A state champion Davis Bryant, also played in the regional and had no players finish high enough to qualify for the state meet.
Freshman Hunter Wallen carded a 94 to lead the Raptors, who were 13th out of 14 scoring teams. Wallen birdied his opening hole and remained even after four holes, but lost 12 strokes on the next six holes.
Ralston Valley and Legacy finished atop the team standings to take automatic spots in the 5A state tournament, while Horizon’s Ryan Bomareto was the only player to shoot under par as he took individual medalist honors with a 1-under 71.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Sentinel Prep Sports
2018 CLASS 5A WESTERN REGIONAL BOYS GOLF
Sept. 17 at Redlands Mesa G.C.
Team scores (par 216): 1. Ralston Valley 225; 2. Legacy 227; 3. Highlands Ranch 229; 4. Fruita Monument 235; 5. Horizon 238; 6. GRANDVIEW 245; 7. Grand Junction 250; 8. Dakota Ridge 253; 9. Douglas County 261; 10. Doherty 295; 11. Denver South 314; 12. Fountain-Fort Carson 324; 13. EAGLECREST 336; 14. Westminster 339; Adams City NS
Top 15 individuals (par 72): 1. Ryan Bomareto (Horizon) 71; T2. Jack Larson (Ralston Valley) 73; T2. Grant Hoos (Legacy) 73; T2. Tarek Salem (Highlands Ranch) 73; T2. Gage Messingham (Ralston Valley) 73; T6. Brendan Fricke (Highlands Ranch) 74; T6. Blake Andersen (Fruita Monument) 74; T8. Josh Stouder (Fruita Monument) 76; T8. Ben McCormick (Legacy) 76; 10. KENNY VANWORMER (GRANDVIEW) 77; 11. Cormac Arroyo (Legacy) 78; T12. ALEX CHITKOKSOONG (GRANDVEW) 79; T12. Ben Lenahan (Ralston Valley) 79; T14. Joseph Ashley (Dakota Ridge) 80; T14. Matt Ammon (Legacy) 80
Aurora team-by-team results (in order of finish)
Grandview (245): Kenny VanWormer 77 (state qualifier); Alex Chitkoksoong 79 (state qualifier); Josh Stone 89; Randy Conger 92; Eaglecrest (336): Hunter Wallen 94; Garrett Schmidt 119; Ryan Anderson 123; Colton Saccomano 144