photo by: Submitted Photo

The Free State boys golf team stops for a picture after taking home first overall at the Seaman Invitational on Wednesday at Village Greens Golf Course on April 19, 2023 in Meriden, Kansas, U.S.A.

The Free State boys golf team earned its first tournament crown since 2016 on Wednesday, placing first among 13 total schools in the Seaman Invitational at Village Greens Golf Course.

To take home the title, Free State carded a team score of 308 and finished one stroke better than Blue Valley Northwest. Junior Jack Randall led the way for the Firebirds, finishing 2-over (74) through 18 holes and placing second as an individual.

Coach Chuck Law, who has won one other tournament title in his time at Free State, said his group’s energy was at an all-time high on Wednesday.

“They were just bouncing off the walls,” Law said. “I kicked them out of the clubhouse a couple of times because they were getting so excited.”

Free State’s team this year is young, with just one senior, Matt Hoskinson, playing at the Seaman invite. But several of those younger golfers played a big role in the Firebirds’ victory. Sophomore Aiden Graf-Hannah and freshmen Henry Thompson and Cash Nelson each carded a 78 to earn a share of eighth place as individuals, a spot that they shared with another local golfer, Lawrence High junior Brian Lewis. Hoskinson finished 47th, shooting a 91, and sophomore Preston Hosler carded a 94 for a share of 54th place.

Law said that his golfers didn’t like how they’d performed earlier in the week, and that they used that as fuel for their performance at Wednesday’s tourney.

“When you’re that young, you expect to take your slumps, and we’ve had some decent rounds,” he said. “We had a very poor round on Monday, and the guys were disappointed with how they performed. We just talked about getting that one out of our system and using (Wednesday) as a bounce-back opportunity, and they took advantage of it.”

Lawrence High School placed 12th at the Seaman invite. In addition to Lewis’ eighth-place finish, senior Jack Elsten tied for 49th, shooting a 92, and senior Peyton Reder placed 62nd with a 99.

Law has been watching both Free State and LHS bite at the Sunflower League’s heels all season long, and he said the golfers hope to play their best late in the season. They’re currently sharpening their game before the final round of the Sunflower League tournament on May 9. Just last week, in the second round of the league tournament, Randall tied for 36th, shooting 13-over (85), and Law hopes more success is on the horizon.

“They believe in themselves,” Law said.

The regional state qualifier will be played on May 11 at Eagle Bend. A couple of other key events are also on the calendar before that: Free State will host the Justin Siler Memorial Invite on May 1 at Lawrence Country Club, and LHS will travel to Heritage Golf Course on Monday.