Medalist Michael Matteucci helps lead Sacred Heart to record 8th straight state golf title
It was business as usual with one major exception Tuesday for the Sacred Heart boys golf team as it celebrated yet another Class 2A state championship.
The Knights' eighth straight title was one for the record books.
By nearly lapping the field with a two-round 597 total at Hesston Golf Course, the Knights broke the consecutive championship streak they shared with Wichita's Kapaun-Mt. Carmel.
"There was a lot of pressure (to break the record)," said Sacred Heart coach Patrick Newell, who has been a part of the last three titles. "We all knew and talked about it that if we all played the way we were capable of, we would take care of business.
"We've got five or six who always perform and that takes a lot of pressure off. If you have one kid who has a bad day, there's always somebody to pick you up."
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Knights' Michael Matteucci wins individual gold
Nobody had to pick up Knights junior Michael Matteucci, who shot a 2-under-par 69 in the opening round Monday to take a four-shot lead and finished it off with a 70 Tuesday for a 139 total to edge Ellinwood's Andrew Heinz by four strokes for individual medalist honors. And while only the top four scores count toward the team total, Sacred Heart had five individuals finish in the top 15.
The top 20 individuals receive medals.
The individual medal was especially sweet for Matteucci, who struggled last year in Emporia, where bad weather cut the tournament to a single round. He had tied for 20th each of the last two years.
"This year I played to what I'm capable of and felt much better about that," Matteucci said. "I struggled on the front (nine) a little both days, but I knew if I got to the back in good shape I had a good chance. I shot 33 on the back both days."
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Matteucci wasn't alone at the top of the leaderboard. Sophomore Luke Newell finished third for the second straight year with a 5-over (74-73) 147 and junior Walker Tuttle, who tied for third with Newell in 2022, tied for fourth this time at (76-77) 153.
Juniors Max Ehrlich in 12th with a 161 and Hunter Newell in 15th with a 162 were the Knights' other medalist. Fellow junior Jason Marrs, the only newcomer to the team from last year, shot 177.
By reaching his goal and winning the individual title, Matteucci had to outduel Ellinwood's Heinz. Matteucci came in with the top scoring average in 2A, while Heinz ranked second but had prevailed in two of their three head-to-head battles.
"I played against Drew Heinz all year, so I knew how good he was," Matteucci said. "Unfortunately we didn't get to play (in the same group) because they weren't one of the top three teams."
As special as the gold medal was, Matteucci was equally pleased with the team trophy.
Related: Sacred Heart boys golf team looks to keep 2A state championship streak going in 2022
Team title a Newell family affair
"It's so much fun to be with all my teammates and win it as a team, because we're all good friends," Matteucci said. "We knew (runner-up) Hill City was pretty good, but we felt confident that if we played to the best of our ability we could handle it."
The Knights left no room for an upset after shooting 297 the first day to open an 18-shot lead over Hill City, then expanded the lead by 26 more on Tuesday. Hill City was second at 641 and Hoxie third with a 654 total.
The championship was a family affair for Patrick Newell, with sons Luke and Hunter sharing the experience for a second straight year. It was the third time for Patrick and Hunter.
"It's really special to coach your sons and win a state title," Patrick Newell said. "I wish every dad could experience what I experienced today."
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Michael Matteucci and Sacred Heart boys golf win eighth straight title
