WASHOE COUNTY, Nev. – The Incline High School boys golf team continued an undefeated streak at the NIAA 2A Golf State Championships on May 12 and 13, becoming state champions and adding a line to the school’s record books.
Defying windy conditions at the Toiyabe Golf Club, the Highlianders won the tournament 41 strokes ahead of North Tahoe High School for the state title.
“Our boys stayed strong,” head coach Cory Coombes said, “slowed down and played the wind well.”
On the first day of the tournament, the team scored 345. With their return on the second day, the Highlanders improved on their day-one performance, posting 343 to reach a tournament total of 688.
After placing 6th on day one with a score of 86, senior Lucas MacDonald honed his craft on day two to win the individual state championship with a score of 76. He was the only golfer in the tournament to score in the seventies, significantly contributing to the team’s win. MacDonald joined the golf team last year after playing baseball the prior season.
Senior Neils Day’s second-place finish on day one also helped secure the team’s championship title. Day has played all four years on the team and has shown significant growth throughout. In his first year, Day scored around the 120 mark and is now playing 70- to 80-stroke games.
History made
The Incline High School golf team recorded an undefeated season on the green. The Highlanders’ last undefeated season occurred 33 years ago in 1993.
Additionally, this championship marks the first team title in over a decade, with the last occurring in 2015, and the third state title in the school’s history.
Coach Coombes says the win is a result of his players’ hard work and dedication.
“Even when we aren’t having practice, the boys are down in Reno and Carson practicing,” Coombes says. “They make it pretty easy on me. Their passion for the game shines; they are on the course or at a practice facility in any free time they get.”
Another factor that has added to the team’s performance is a golf simulator at the school during golf season. Thanks to a community member’s help, the team has had access to the simulator for about three years.
Before the simulator, the team drove to Reno or Carson to practice due to the snow. The long drives would cut into practice time.
The simulator, which also provides feedback, now allows the boys to get significantly more swings in.
In reviewing standout players and key performances, Coach Coombes wanted to recognize every player on his competition team, “as each one of them has stepped up in a big way to help with the successful season.”
Senior Trent Racich helped the team secure the regional title by shooting an 80.
Junior Anthony Donahue has been on the competition team since his freshman year, helping the team build up to this win. He is the No. 2 golfer on the team and next year’s team captain.
Sophomore Nate Lager has also been on the competition team since freshman year and continues to show growth. “I can’t wait to see what he does in the next two years,” Coombes says.
Freshman Luke Donahue is already scoring 70s and 80s and has shown mental fortitude, something many young golfers struggle with, Coombes says, earning him a place in team leadership.
Coombes, who has coached the team for five years now, says the support from the parents and from both the competition team and the younger team has turned the players into championship golfers.
“I’m very blessed to be able to coach these boys.”
