It’s been some kind of year for Doug Champagne.
The standout senior golfer from Bow High School just recently put the finishing touches on an undefeated season for the Falcons (27-0), guiding them to their fifth straight Division III title. On Saturday, he capped off an outstanding high school career the only way he knows how: on top.
Champagne returned to Waukewan Golf Club – the same course he dominated during Thursday’s team championship – and stole the show yet again, edging Gilford’s Grant Workman by four strokes in the second round for a total of 149 to claim his second straight D-III individual championship.
Champagne only got better as he became more and more comfortable with the course. His score of 75 on the par-72 course on Thursday was among the best and he brought that same level of play back with him in the second round, using six pars and four birdies to top the field with a 74.
Workman carded a 78 to place second overall with total of 157 while Lebanon’s Kyle Pelletier (158), Derryfield’s Colin McCaigue (162), Lebanon’s Alex Bitler (164) and Prospect Mountain’s Sam Reynolds (164) rounded out the top five finishers.
Champagne’s morning began with three consecutive bogeys, but his play picked up towards the end of the front nine. He birdied hole No. 6 and collected an eagle on the 430-yard, par-5 eighth hole before grabbing another birdie at No. 9. Champagne also notched birdies on holes 12 and 15 to win the individual title. Bow teammates Jack Olson, Ronan Lucey and Colin Plumb weren’t far behind Champagne on Saturday. Olson finished seventh overall with a total score of 165, while Lucey finished tied for ninth (170) and Plumb took 11th (171).
In D-IV, which teed off just after D-III at Waukewan, Newport’s Cameron Gebo hung on for the title with a second round score of 83 for a total of 160.
Hopkinton’s Nicholas Fairneny and Gorham’s Hunter Desilets also finished at 160 to tie for second place. Hillsboro-Deering’s Jacob Cole, coming off a first round score of 84, dropped six strokes and carded the lowest second-round total of the tournament at 78 to place fourth. Moultonborough Academy’s Bailey Jensen settled for fifth with a total of 167.
Hanover’s Phin Choukas claimed the crown in Division II at Beaver Meadows Golf Course, shooting a 70 in the second round for a winning total of 143. Bishop Brady’s Nick Grimbilas took four strokes off his first-round total to place third overall at 148. Coe-Brown’s Joel Boulanger was 10th overall with his two-round total of 158, and his Coe-Brown teammate Dylan Andrews was right behind with a 159. John Stark’s Ryan Rothdiener tied for 16th with a 165.
The D-I individual championship was hosted by Hanover Country Club and was won by Nashua North’s Brandon Gillis with a total of 138.
(Jay McAree can be reached at 369-3340 or at jmcaree@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @jaymcaree.)
Lebanon 4, Kearsarge 3, OT
Key players: Kearsarge – Ben Corbyn (goal), Brandon Thibodeau (goal), Sam Lick (goal), Leland Heckel (assist), Gunner Nurme (assist)
Highlights/key moments: Despite falling behind 2-0 early on Friday, Kearsarge rallied to tie the game in the second half on a score from Lick to force overtime.
Coach’s quote: “The team came out a little flat in the first half and we conceded a couple of early goals. In the second half and overtime, we gave Lebanon all they could handle.” – Kearsarge’s Matt Burch
Records: Kearsarge 1-8-3; Lebanon 11-1
John Stark 56, Pembroke 6
Key players: Stark – Leif Mailloux (TD), Jacob Fitts (4-yard TD run), Cooper Gorski (blocked punt), Shawn Lavigne (TD), Drew McQuarrie (TD), Kyle Booker (80 yards rushing, TD), Jacob Ridenour (7 tackles)
Highlights/key moments: Mailloux took the opening kickoff to the house and Stark won its sixth straight.
Records: Stark 6-0; Pembroke 1-5
Lebanon 46, Laconia 41
Key players: Laconia – Jacob Filgate (113 rushing yards, 2 TDs), Drew Muzzey (135 yards, 1 TD), Nick Drouin (3 catches, 80 yards, 2 TDs), Riley Roy (9-for-16, 123 yards, 2 TDs)
Highlights/key moments: On Friday night, the Sachems put up 40-plus points for the second time this season, but still lost their second straight.
Coach’s quote: “Tough loss. Up 14 at the half and couldn’t put it away.” – Laconia’s Craig Kozens
Records: Laconia 2-4; Lebanon 4-2
Farmington 3, H-D 0
Key players: Hillsboro-Deering – Kayleigh Sigman (defense), Kristina Stevens (5 digs)
Highlights/key moments: H-D lost its seventh match in eight games.
Coach’s quote: “Despite the set scores we were really proud of some of the plays, especially the initial defensive coverage of our team tonight.” – H-D’s Nicole LaRoche
Records: H-D 2-10; Farmington 9-2
Concord first
Key players: Concord – Forest Mackenzie (5th, 16:10.50), James Wilkes (6th, 16:10.78), Oliver Spencer (8th, 16:21.62), Eli Boesch-Dining (10th, 16:40.72)
Highlights/key moments: Led by Mackenzie and Wilkes, the Concord boys took home first place in the 16-team Alvirne Invitational. Concord finished with a team total of 41. The girls placed ninth out of 14 teams with a total time of 1:46:52.
Coach’s quote: “We are continuing to have an amazing season this year. I hope that people appreciate how remarkable this run of success really is.” – Concord’s Tristan Black-Ingersoll
Concord ninth
Key players: Concord – Jennika Mannesto (12th, 19:37.89), Molly Bragg (37th, 21:07.85)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide placed ninth out of 14 teams at the Alvirne Invitational with a total time of 1:46:52.