Leawood ? Veritas Christian freshman Nick Gardner fired an even-par 72 at Ironhorse Golf Club to earn the Kansas Christian Athletic Association individual championship Tuesday.

“I just played a little bit smoother, relaxing my drives and concentrating on my putts,” Gardner said of what made the difference for him.

A resident of Eudora, Gardner said he carded four birdies and four bogeys on his way to the best round of the Veritas golf season. He said his best career round came last year when he shot a 68, playing from the white tees at Eagle Bend.

Gardner earned a medal for his state title and he said he will hang it on the wall of his bedroom.

Veritas Christian finished second among the six schools competing. Teammates Brendan Gardner (108), Nick’s brother, Joshua Meyers (108) and Elijah Penny (109) also competed for the Eagles, coached by Mark Brown.

“Ironhorse is a tough course, and Nick did a good job of keeping his emotions level the whole day,” Brown said.