Randall held the first-round advantage on Monday by shooting a team score of 300, then followed that effort with a 303 on Tuesday for a 603 total holding off Region I rival Andrews (607) by four strokes.
“This is huge for us,” Randall boys golf coach Ben Gilliland said. “This has a process that has taken years, so this is the icing on the cake. These guys work so hard, and no one ever sees how much they put into this to make a state championship happen. It’s just a very surreal feeling and I’m very proud and thankful.”
Senior and reigning Region I champion Wyatt Provence capped off his magnificent career by leading the Raiders with a top 10 finish. Provence finished seventh individually with a 72 on Monday followed by a 73 on Tuesday for a total 145. Teammate Jack Lankford also came in with a top 10 finish by finishing in 10th place with a two-day total of 150 after shooting 75 both days. Rounding out Randall was Owen Reynolds with a 36-hole total of 152, Jacob Montano (158) and Evan Reynolds (160).
This state championship adds to the prestigious of what the Randall athletic program has put together in 2022-2023. With this state championship, the Randall boys golf team joins the Lady Raider volleyball team and the Randall team tennis squad as UIL Class 4A state champions. The Randall boys’ basketball team qualified for the state tournament for the first time in school history, the boys wrestling team earned a bronze medal and individually, the spring tennis team as well as the track teams qualified multiple individuals to their respective state events.
“I just think this season represents what Randall is,” Gilliland said. “We always play with a chip on our shoulder, and this is proof that Randall High School is one of the best in the state. I’m proud to be a part of it and everyone has bought into playing for the shield.”
This state championship is the first team title in the school’s short history.
The Mustangs were tied for second coming out of Monday sitting a 346 which was five strokes behind Borden County. However, Wildorado played a steady team round shooting a 348 on Tuesday for a score of 694 to pull away from the field and win the state title by 11 strokes over Borden County (705).
“The guys really stepped up on Tuesday,” Wildorado head coach Kellan Kirkland said. “We had a lot of pressure on us after winning the regional championship. We were tied second after Monday, but we played just good enough on Tuesday to pull together and win it. It’s a great thing for Wildorado to win a team championship. It shows the hard work we do out here.”
Hunter Corman paced Wildorado with a fourth-place finish individually. Corman fired a 76 on Monday followed by an 81 on Tuesday for a 36-hole total of 157. Rounding out Wildorado was Ryan Cox with a two-day round total of 172, Cash Flowers (177), Brayden Sides (188), and Drew Ratliff (214).
State notes
Playing as an individual at the UIL Class 4A state tournament, Pampa’s Sawyer Burleson had an excellent showing by tying for 11th overall by shooting a 74 on Monday then a 77 on Tuesday for a 151.
The Vega boys golf team finished in sixth place with a score of 690 during the UIL Class 2A state tournament played at the Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin. Kylan Richardson led the Longhorns with a two-day score of 157.
Playing as an individual at the UIL Class 2A state tournament, Danner Price of Sanford-Fritch tallied a top 10 showing by placing sixth overall. Price shot a round one score of 76, and then followed that with a 1-over par 73 on Tuesday for a 36-hole total of 149.
