Ben Barkey has always kept his eye on the biggest prize.
Now in his eighth year as Warsaw Community High School's boys golf coach, Barkey has remained true to the fact that his team's goal each season is advancing to and performing well at the state finals.And while they are nice to brag about, records have never been Barkey's focus.
Wednesday at Stonehenge, however, the ninth-ranked Tigers did something only two other teams in Warsaw boys golf history have done. And though Barkey's focus is on Saturday's sectional, the 1997 WCHS grad was all smiles after his team beat county rival Tippecanoe Valley by 23 strokes and finished the regular season undefeated.
"It's nice for these guys," said Barkey, whose team improved 15-0. "We always talk about getting to state. An undefeated season isn't something we made a big deal about, but these kids have worked very hard, and they deserve this. I'm very proud of my guys."
Warsaw also posted undefeated seasons in boys golf in 1966 (13-0) and 1988 (20-0).
In their final tuneup before the state tournament, the Tigers turned in a four-man score of 150, while the Vikings carded a 173.
Valley, which will also compete in Saturday's sectional at Stonehenge, finished the regular season with a record of 8-6.
"Warsaw's depth is incredible," said Valley coach Roger Moriarty. "They know this course very well, and they are tough every time they play here. We shot a 173 today, that's our average for the year. We're gonna have to shoot something pretty special to get out of the sectional Saturday with teams like Warsaw, Triton, CMA and Wawasee."
Warsaw' Jon Schram shot 35 on the par-35 front nine to earn medalist honors, while Tyler Ostrom turned in a 37 and Justin Self and Eric Tandy both carded a 38.
Also for the Tigers, Kal Denlinger and Tim Ahlersmeyer shot 40s, Bennett Hollar finished with a 41 and Mitchell Gauger carded a 46.
For Valley, Caleb Rovenstine led the way with a 40, while Taylor Breeden shot a 43 and Bray Swihart and Kevin Summe turned in 45s.
Other Valley scores included Brandon Larrabee's 56, a 57 from both Ted Shepherd and Taylor Eaton and a 61 from Trent Swihart.
With an undefeated record, and the sectional on their home course, the Tigers have the target on their back.
Triton also enters sectional play with an undefeated record.
"We're a young team, but all of my guys are solid," said Barkey. "We're playing well, and to have the target on our back, I don't think that bothers these kids. We don't talk about things like that. We just go out there and think about our next shot."
That mentality has led the Tigers to sectional championships in three of the past four seasons, including last year when they beat runner-up Valley by 18 strokes.
WARSAW 150, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 173
(Stonehenge, front 9 par 35)
Medalist - Jon Schram (Warsaw) 35
Warsaw - Kal Denlinger 40, Eric Tandy 38, Tyler Ostrom 37, Tim Ahlersmeyer 40, Jon Schram 35, Bennett Hollar 41, Mitchell Gauger 46, Justin Self 38
Valley - Caleb Rovenstine 40, Taylor Breeden 43, Bray Swihart 45, Ted Shepherd 57, Kevin Summe 45, Brandon Larrabee 56, Taylor Eaton, Trent Swihart 61
