GEORGETOWN, Texas — The Lake Travis boys golf team used its second place finish last season as motivation this season. The Cavaliers claimed their first-ever state championship at the 6A level Tuesday afternoon at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.
"This one's huge," Lake Travis Head Coach Dustin Payne said. "It's been a while since we've been here."
The Cavs were led by senior Ethan Dufresne (-3, 72-69-141) and freshman Bennett Kuhns (E, 66-78-144). Kuhns fired a 6-under, 66 during Monday's opening round, which set Lake Travis up for success Tuesday.
"This is everything we've worked for all year," Dufresne said. "We had the right mindset to win."
"I never thought coming in that I'd be able to have a chance like this, but it happened and now it's time to celebrate," Kuhns said.
The Cavaliers fired 6-under par (-6, 279-291-570) over the two-day tournament, beating out second place The Woodlands (-1, 295-280-575) by five strokes and third place Houston Memorial (E, 287-289-576) by six strokes.
"This team is the best I've ever been on," Dufresne said. "These guys are special, and I'm so proud of all of them."
Just like Kuhns, fellow Cavaliers Mackey Beckett (E, 71-73-144) and Luke Nolan (E, 70-74-144) both shot even par for the tournament.
"That's what we worked for, moments like these where we can celebrate as a team and come together," sophomore Mackey Beckett said.
Senior Elijah Galvan (+4, 73-75-148) finished his high school career 4-over.
Vandegrift's Jaxon Bandelier (-3, 71-70-141) and Westlake's Sterling Hurd (-3, 71-70-141) both individually finished tied for 4th at 3-under, while reigning individual state champion Adam Villanueva (Westlake) ended up in a tie for 31st at 4-over (+4, 73-75-148).
As a team, reigning state champion Westlake placed eighth (+14, 293-297-590).