Only two schools have sent their boys golf team to the IHSAA state finals more often than Bloomington South.
But this trip, which will be the 39th overall (and 23rd since the end of the BHS era in 1972), is a special one for this particular team. It marks the fifth straight appearance, the Panthers’ best streak since going seven in a row form 1996-2002.
All that history is certainly something to lean on and something to uphold.
“Coach Bill Sibbitt, George Finley, where they had that program, I learned a lot, especially from Coach Finley and my father,” current South coach Dustin Carver said.
And one thing he learned is to hold his players to a high standard on the course and in the classroom. As a result, a rebuilt lineup, with last year’s Nos. 4 and 5 players moving to the top, was ready to meet the challenge last week at regional.
“Team morale was maybe the biggest thing,” senior Owen Gerber said. “Coach Carver got us hyped up before our rounds. And the reps, spending that extra 30 minutes on the range or on the practice green, all those shots add up.
“I think all those hours of work we put in ended up turning into big things.”
For Gerber and Bomba, ending their senior years at state is icing on the cake.
Bomba struggled with back and other injury issues that kept him from playing for long stretches. He’s the last of several Bombas Carver has coached, both boys and girls in golf and basketball, and he’s thrilled to see him make it through the season.
“I’ve definitely had some strange times throughout the years,” Bomba said. “This is the only full season I’ve been able to play, so it’s definitely not been the greatest. But I’ve fought through it and come back stronger.
“If I had been able to play, I could be a lot better, but you can’t let that get to you. You just do what you can control.”
Gerber has been in the program for four years as well and will be the rare athlete getting to compete in a state final in more than one sport in the same year after joining the soccer team mid-season and taking over the starting goalkeeper role.
“I never would have imagined that,” Gerber said. “Going to state in two different spots, as an underclassman, I never would have seen that coming to reality.”
Gerber had to make sure he earned the fifth spot in the lineup and has made it count in the postseason, his fifth score delivering a sectional team title (by two shots) and then contributing to the regional total that tied Jasper. The potential finality of his round last Thursday wasn’t lost on him
“My personal journey, having a round that could be your last round, it’s something,” Gerber said. “It’s intimidating. But from soccer, I learned to love pressure, and it brought out the best golf I have to offer.
“I’m swinging it well. I had a little slump but I’ve brought it back around.”
At the same time, don’t think the Panthers are just happy to be there. This will be juniors Colton Watson’s third trip and Carson Gady’s second and they’ll lead Gerber, Bomba and Owen Wisley through their first state rounds at Prairie View in Carmel. They’ll be aiming for the 27th top-10 finish in program history.
The Panthers will play Round 1 with No. 2 Zionsville, No. 16 Cathedral and Floyd Central, with tee times set for 9:20-10 a.m. starting on No. 10.
“The boys have gone through a lot of adversity,” Carver said. “I’m pleased they get to go.”
What to know
The IHSAA state finals will take place at Prairie View in Carmel and will include 18 teams and another 18 individual qualifiers. The first round is Tuesday, June 17 and final round Wednesday, June 18.
Regional champs were No. 1 Westfield (294 at Coyote Crossing), No. 3 Homestead (291 at Stonehenge), No. 4 Evansville North (285 at Country Oaks), No. 5 Noblesville (295 at Players Club), No. 6 Center Grove (298 at Champions Pointe) and unranked South Bend St. Joseph (313 at Sandy Pines).
Also on hand are No. 8 Leo, No. 10 Castle, No. 11 Hamilton Southeastern, No. 12 Carmel, No. 14 Franklin and No. 18 Elkhart, who were all regional runner-ups and No. 2 Zionsville, No. 16 Cathedral, Lake Central, Bishop Dwenger and Floyd Central. No. 7 Guerin Catholic was eliminated at sectional and No. 9 Brownsburg at regional.
Live scoring will be available at bluegolf.com.
Tickets are $15 (children 5-under are free) and available at ihsaa.eventlink.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IHSAA state golf preview: Bloomington South seniors relish trip to finals
Reporting by Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
