KENDALLVILLE — The conference tournament is a great place for a team to shoot its best score of the season and that is exactly what the Fairfield Falcons did Saturday in the NECC meet at Noble Hawk Golf Links.

Led by individual medalist Zach Hochstedler with a 1-under par 34-36—70, the Falcons posted a team score of 304 to finish ahead of second-place Lakeland at 319. Angola was third at 322, followed by Churubusco 333, Fremont 339, West Noble 346, Westview 351, Hamilton 356, Central Noble 360, Prairie Heights 382 and Eastside 390.

“A 304 is our best score of the season,” Fairfield coach Rand Schrock said. “The key was the boys went out and played golf the way they are supposed to. Coming in I felt we could be in the top three, but I wasn’t sure we could win.

“I think Zach (Hochstedler) has finally decided to let the game come to him. He took advantage of the holes where he could.”

Hochstedler had three birdies in his round.

“I played pretty solid, hitting a lot of fairways and greens,” he said. “I also made some key putts.”

Hochstedler was in the same foursome as the individual runner up, Austin Corcimiglia of Fremont who carded a 32-39—71.

Corcimiglia birdied the first three holes.

“It was nice to be in the same group with him,” Hochstedler said.

“He got off to a good start before having some problems on the back nine.

“It feels pretty good to be the best in the conference.”

Also for Fairfield, Jordan Davidhizar shot 35-38—73, Jacob Fry 41-37—78, Andrew Hoover 42-41—83 and Rainer Brow 44-46—90.

“I was very impressed with Hoover’s 83,” Schrock said.

“That’s his lowest round in varsity competition and he had an eight on No. 9.”

According to Hoover he had an 83 in a JV tournament at Lake James.

“I’m not really sure where this came from,” Hoover said.

“I didn’t really have any great shots, but also didn’t have any really bad ones. I did have a birdie on No. 4. I hit a 5-wood off the tee, my approach shot was close to the pin and I made the putt.”

Lakeland was led by Cody Richardson 37-38—75 and Spencer Mortola 35-41—76.

“My thinking was a score of 315 to 320 would get you in the ballpark,” Lakeland coach John Roush said. “But Fairfield shot lights out. Not too many teams have a 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup like they do.

“Conditions were near perfect today. There was not a lot of wind until around 2 p.m. and by then the leaders were past the toughest parts of the course.”

Mortola’s round featured six birdies, three on each side.

NECC Tournament

At Noble Hawk Golf Links

Team Standings

1. Fairfield, 304; 2. Lakeland, 319; 3. Angola, 322; 4. Churubusco, 333; 5. Fremont, 339; 6. West Noble, 346; 7. Westview, 351; 8. Hamilton, 356; 9. Central Noble, 360; 10. Prairie Heights, 382; 11. Eastside, 390.



Individual scores

Fairfield (304) — Zach Hochstedler 34-36—70, Jordan Davidhizar 35-38—73, Jacob Fry 41-37—78, Andrew Hoover 42-41—83, Rainer Brow 44-46—90.

Lakeland (319) — Cody Richardson 37-38—75, Spencer Mortola 35-41—76, Jordan Aldrich 38-45—83, Isaac Kilgore 43-42—85, Zac Paxson 53-52—105.

Angola (322) — Justin Lomont 37-35—72, Ryan Stayback 38-43—81, Eric Ruff 41-41-81, Max Essman 41-46—87, Noah Jones 41-46—87.

Churubusco (333) — Beau Barkley 37-37—74, Ryan Mayer 39-40—79, Brad Martin 44-44—88, Parker Conrad 45-47—92, Brandon Norris 43-51—94.

Fremont (339) — Austin Corcimiglia 32-39—71, Jordon Schmucker 43-43—86, Tyler Jenkins 39-48—87, Collin Sherburne 48-47—95, Colt Penner 47-51—98.

West Noble (346) —  Austin King 41-37—78, Jordan Younce 39-45—84, Seth Bontrager 42-44—86, Kris Handshoe 51-47—98, Alex Gillespie 44-56—100.

Westview (351) — Denis Weirich 37-39—76, Dustin Strong 37-47—84, Logan Miller 43-46—89, Conrad Frey 50-52—102, Tylor Lichtenberger 54-51—105.

Hamilton (356) — Dylan Burns 43-40—83, Bo Smith 45-41—86, Seth Brown 46-346—92, Hunter Schiffli 47-48—95, Casey Rote 67-66—133.

Central Noble (360) — Miles Merriman 37-42—79, Brett Gallmeyer 42-43—85, Dirk Meyer 46-52—98, Austin Rose 47-51—98, Mitch Comparet 48-62—110.

Prairie Heights (382) — Dakota Lambert 41-43—84, Cole Lorntz 49-49—98, Nick Bennett 43-56—99, Jason Miller 55-46—101, Jessy Morgan 50-52—102.

Eastside (390) — Layton Ginder 42-43—85, Seth Emenhiser 51-46—97, Ben Fliehman 46-54—100, Colton Hein 56-52—108, Kyle Franz 69-58—127.