Lawrence High junior Thomas Fulbright carded a 7-over-par 79 at Monday’s Class 6A golf regional at Eagle Bend, good enough for the lead through nine threesomes.

As the final groups finished and reported their scores, though, Fulbright was passed or tied by 14 players, including four fellow Lions.

Because of a tiebreaker, Fulbright’s score  or one of the 79’s recorded by teammates Zach Blevins and Camron Flanders  ended up as the deciding factor in Lawrence’s second-place finish which qualified the Lions for Monday’s state tournament at Wichita.

“All season long we talked about how it’s important what the fifth person and sixth person shoot,” LHS coach Ron Commons said, “and it comes down to that in big tournaments  what your whole team does, not just your top four individuals.”

Lawrence’s top four scores totaled a 20-over-par 308, which tied them with Topeka Washburn Rural, but the Lions’ fifth score, one of those three 79s, broke the tie and earned LHS the runner-up plaque and a trip to Rolling Hills Country Club.

“We’re real pleased with our team effort,” Commons said. “I’m anxious to go down to Wichita. If we’re able to play the ball down, we’ll tighten the race up and make it real interesting.”

Nathaniel Spencer, who had putting problems during his round of 74, finished fifth when Olathe East’s Ryan Scott missed a putt on the fifth playoff hole.

“I just wanted it a lot,” Spencer said. “My dad told me before to just give it all I had. I was just better under pressure for that playoff.”

Lawrence’s Spencer Wilson, who finished eighth after a playoff, bucked Monday’s trend of starting hot and ending cold by shooting a 41 on the front nine and a 1-under 35 on the back.

“I just relaxed and settled in on the back nine,” Wilson said, “and started playing my game. I just broke it down one shot at a time like you’re supposed to and hit the ball much better.”

Free State High’s Aaron Webber also will be in Wichita this week, qualifying for the state tournament by shooting a 77. Although the Firebirds won’t be competing as a team, Webber finished in the top five individual scores on a non-state qualifying team.

“Overall, it was a good day, “Webber said. “I’m just happy I gave myself a chance to make state.”

Webber finished 10th overall after losing a playoff against Olathe North’s Larry Langley on the first hole.

The Firebirds, who have no seniors, finished sixth with a total of 330, their best tournament score of the season.

“I can’t complain,” FSHS coach Jack Schreiner said. “Obviously, a couple of kids probably think they could shoot better, but, as a team, this is the best we’ve shot at a tournament so we have to be pleased.”

Notes: Olathe East won the tournament with a four-man total of 300, and will join Lawrence and Washburn Rural at the state tournament. Â Rural’s Joe Mosiman placed first with a 71. Â Other individual state qualifiers include Olathe South’s Joel Hiatt, Langley, Topeka High’s Kevin Mechtley and Olathe North’s Kyle Capps.