A few short weeks ago, Bishop Dwenger boys' golf coach Dave Scudder was concerned about his team's chances in a tough field at the South Side Sectional.
But the Saints rose to that challenge to advance and then some and are now competing in the IHSAA Boys' Golf State Championship at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin.
Bishop Dwenger made Tuesday's cut and advanced to today's second round with a team score of 313, good for 10th place overall.
Columbus North leads the team tournament with a 302.
The top nine teams automatically advance to the second day of competition, as well as any team within 12 strokes of the lead. That rule gave the Saints a berth in the second round.
With four underclassmen and just one senior competing, Bishop Dwenger's inexperience at the state tournament did not deter it from posting a solid score. Spencer Gillig led the Saints with a four-over 76, good for 23rd overall.
The lone Bishop Dwenger player with state finals experience, senior Carter Eifert shot an 80 on the day. In 2010, Eifert shot a plus-five 77 in the first round, with the Saints bowing out of the tournament that year after just the first day.
Freshman John Hope followed Gillig for Bishop Dwenger with a 77, while Drake Eifert shot an 80 and Jake Leonard an 83.
Leonard had a better day going but struggled over the final four holes, shooting plus-four on holes 15-18.
Bellmont's Chase Ellsworth is tied for 17th overall with a plus-three 75. The individual leader is Dylan Meyer of Evansville Central with a three-under 69.
The final round concludes today.
