Oakwood High School boys golf coach Jen Lohmeyer impressed upon her team earlier in the week the importance of a getting a good start at the Division II state tournament this weekend.

The Lumberjacks responded by taking a 17-stroke lead after the first day. At the end of Saturday’s second day, Oakwood led second place Canton Central Catholic by 19 strokes and won its third state title in four years.

“We thought it was critical,” Oakwood junior Tripp French said. “We wanted to go up there and show up big the first day and get a lead. We wanted to get comfortable and not be stressed on day two. We did it and we did it well.”

Oakwood placed first with a 639, while Canton Central Catholic was second with 659. Alter, which was second after the first day, finished fourth and shot a 673.

French shot a 157 and was second overall among individuals, finishing behind Eaton freshman Cameron Willis, who shot 151. Jack Kegelmeyer shot 160, Austin Wells 161, Andy Mayhew 162 and Alex Marquis 166.

Alec Tahy led Alter with a 158. Ryan Wolff shot 165, Sam Taylor and Chance Taylor each shot 175 and Nick Brodbeck shot 182.

Oakwood won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010 and finished fourth last year.

“It’s awesome for the kids, which is why we do it,” Lohmeyer said. “I can’t even express how proud I am of all the boys we’ve had over the years. It’s been a real pleasure to have them on the team and to be able to coach them.”

Willis wins medalist

In his first trip to state, Willis dominated. His 151 won Division II boys medalist honors by six strokes.

“We knew he could do well,” Eaton coach Randy Titkemeyer said. “He tied for low score coming out of district, which is the toughest in the state. But for a freshman to come up here and play with this poise is remarkable.”

Playing at the high school level for the first time, Willis made it a goal to make it to state but wasn’t sure how well he would be able to play.

“At the beginning of the year I thought I could get to state, but I didn’t think of winning it,” Willis said. “When I made it to district, my goal was to get here and get in the top 10 and see how it went. It went pretty well.”

Second for CJ

The Chaminade Julienne girls golf team finished second overall behind Sandusky Perkins, which shot 687. CJ shot 695, which tied a team record set in 2009. CJ won state last year.

Mikaela Hadaway led CJ with a 164. Sarah Downing shot 174, Kaitlyn Cartone 179, Emily Poock 183 and Ellie Cronin 185.

“I think everyone stayed focused,” Hadaway said. “We played each shot one at a time. We had it in our head that we could do well.”

Alter was eighth. Mary Rose Metter shot 166, Caitlyn Braun 193, McKayla Patton 194, Rachel Laravie 198 and Kiersten Brill 199.