The Section VII Championships wrapped up two days of competition on Friday, and Lake Placid’s Carver Bell and Saranac Lake’s Ryan McGinnis-Theis were among the nine golfers to claim spots on the team that will be heading to Mill Creek Golf Club in Churchville for the state public high school tournament taking place June 8 and 9.

Peru’s Nick Palmer will also be going after he captured the Section VII individual crown for the second straight year. Palmer fired the lowest rounds on both days to win by six strokes with a 146 total. He carded a 75 on Friday. Palmer’s teammate, Liam Clark finished in second place with a combined score of 152.

Bell, a sophomore, finished in third place. He’ll be heading to the state tournament for the third straight year after shooting the second-lowest round of the day on Friday with a 76 for a two-day score of 156.

“I felt like a home course advantage,” Bell said. “I thought it was very good since I play this course a lot. I’ve just learned about what this course does, and I felt like I played pretty good.”

Saranac Lake’s Ryan McGinnis-Theis watches his approach on the 17th hole at Craig Wood on Friday during the second round of the Section VII Golf Championships. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

After shooting an 80 on Thursday and finishing the day tied for sixth, Bell said it was a grind to place third overall.

“It feels great, especially as a sophomore,” he said. “I feel like it’s a big achievement, and I’m just happy about how I placed.”

Bell said his goal at the state meet is to just have a solid round.

“(Around the) high 70s,” he said, “and try to place like top 50 at least or better. But we’ll see how it goes, though.”

It’s been eight years since a Red Storm golfer has been named to the state Section VII tournament team. For most of that stretch, Saranac Lake’s head coach Zach Dupree said it’s been his goal to get one of his players to states. But that goal has finally been reached, as McGinnis-Theis secured the ninth and final shot.

Saranac Lake’s Jonah Peckham putts on the 15th hole at Craig Wood on Friday during the second round of the Section VII Golf Championships. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

“We’ve been so close in the past, and I’m glad Ryan made it,” Dupree said.

McGinnis-Theis sat in third place overall after the first day and turned an 83 on Friday, his effort was just good enough to claim the ninth and final state tournament slot, with a two-day score of 160. McGinnis-Theis said he didn’t have the greatest outing on Friday, but was just glad to continue his golf season.

“He struggled a little bit, but he made it. So that’s good,” Dupree said. “It doesn’t really matter what spot you’re in. He’s on the team, on the state team.”

McGinnis-Theis had some solid shots on Friday, including a lucky bounce on the 16th hole that deflected off the trees and went right into the fairway.

But when he finished on the 18th hole, McGinnis-Theis wasn’t sure if his performance was good enough to secure a spot on the state team. But when his name was finally called, he immediately felt relieved.

“Oh my god, it was awesome,” he said.

With the state tournament slated for next week — just outside Rochester — McGinnis-Theis said he’s hoping to break 80.

“And to have some fun, and learn from some kids,” he said.

Saranac Lake’s other golfers who competed on Friday included Noah Hastings and Jonah Peckham. Hastings shot a 92 for a two-day score of 176, while Peckham shot an 85 for a total of 170.

“Noah Hastings was disappointed, but he’s still got one more year, so hopefully we can turn around next year and do something next year,” Dupree said. “Jonah did really well, 85-85, and he was close. He’s a freshman, so he’s got a few more years, so hopefully next year, he can make it.”

The other golfers that qualified for the state tournament were Peru’s Cooper Sweeney, Ticonderoga’s Noah Wells, Boquet Valley’s Braden Liberi, Moriah’s Silas Reeder and Schroon Lake’s Ronan Deslauriers.

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DAY ONE

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On Thursday, the Saranac Lake golf team put together a solid performance at the opening day of the Section VII championships, securing a second-place team finish.

Saranac Lake’s top four players combined for a total of 336 strokes in the team competition to place second overall. Meanwhile, the Peru Nighthawks closed out the day as the overall Section VII champions after three of its players finished inside the top four. The Nighthawks combined for a score of 308.

“We were right behind Peru, and we beat Lake Placid, so it’s good for us,” Dupree said. “On their home course. But, we had a great season, and I’m proud of all the guys and looking forward to the next one.”

Lake Placid finished in fourth place overall with a 358, while the Northeastern Clinton Cougars narrowly edged them out with a 353.

Sixty players and eight teams competed on Thursday, with the top 22 golfers advancing to the final 18-hole round.

Saranac Lake’s McGinnis-Theis finished the day in third place after shooting a 77. The sophomore golfer trails only Peru’s Palmer — who carded a 71 — and Clark — who shot a 76.

Thursday’s cut was set at 89, and McGinnis-Theis, alongside two other Red Storm players, advanced to the final round on Friday. The Blue Bombers had two players make the cut, with Carver Bell leading Lake Placid, tied for sixth place with an 80.

Saranac Lake’s Hastings, a junior, advanced with an 84. He is currently tied with Peru’s Nolan Miner for 12th place. Right behind is Lake Placid’s Cecunjanin and the Red Storm’s Peckham, who both carded an 85. Cecunjanin and Peckham are tied with Northeastern Clinton’s Seth Rabideau for 14th place.

Saranac Lake’s Carson St. Louis just missed the cut with a 90. The Red Storm was rounded out by Cooper Patnode (103) and David Rascoe (119).

Lake Placid’s Torin Fadden finished the day with a 93, while Oren Preston carded a 100, Nolan Clark shot a 106 and Braeden Foley turned in a 112. Keene’s lone golfer in the tournament, Sam Crowl, shot a 92.