By Marisa Dawson, Courtesy Photos

The Bennington boys golf team made history last week, capturing the first state championship in program history while sophomore Austin Jochum earned individual medalist honors to lead the Badgers to the Class B title.

Bennington finished atop the team standings with a two-day total of 609, shooting rounds of 307 and 302 to finish ahead of the field. The Badgers also saw three golfers earn state medals, with Jochum taking first individually, Caleb Clark tying for fifth, and Reid Thornburg tying for 13th.

For head coach Craig Nichols, the championship was the culmination of a season defined by talent, trust, and teamwork. “This group had a great combination of talent, experience, and team chemistry,” Nichols said. “They truly believed in each other all season long and understood that every score mattered.”

Nichols credited the team’s consistency and ability to stay composed under pressure throughout the tournament. “What stood out most was their consistency and composure under pressure,” he said. “They didn’t let one bad hole turn into a bad round, and they stayed patient throughout the tournament.”

That patience was evident after the opening round. Bennington sat just two shots behind Lincoln Pius X after posting a team score of 307 on day one, keeping the Badgers firmly in contention heading into the final round. “We felt we were in a solid position,” Nichols said. “We talked with the guys about staying patient and avoiding big numbers.”

As the second round progressed, Nichols sensed the championship was within reach. “I really started to feel we had a good chance midway through the second round when our players were making smart decisions, staying calm, and posting steady scores across the board,” he added.

Nichols pointed to strong performances from several golfers, including Clark and Jochum, as key factors. “Caleb Clark’s strong round, along with Austin continuing to play such consistent golf, gave us a lot of momentum,” Nichols emphasized.

Jochum (pictured below) led the way individually, carding rounds of 73 and 71 to finish at even par with a tournament total of 144. The sophomore’s performance earned him the individual state championship. “When I realized that I had won it I had many feelings at the time,” Jochum said. “But mostly it was just pure joy to see that both our team and my hard work that we’ve put in paid off.”

While no single shot defined his tournament, Jochum said several holes played a major role in his success. “Those holes were 4, 5, 6, and our coach thought that if we could play those close to par or a few over par throughout the week we would be in a good spot,” he explained.

Just as important, he said, was maintaining the right mindset over the 36-hole event. “A 36-hole tournament is a lot of holes and you can’t win or lose it on one certain hole,” Jochum said.

Nichols was especially impressed by Jochum’s maturity throughout the tournament. “What impressed me most about Austin was his maturity and composure throughout the tournament,” Nichols said. “For a sophomore to handle that kind of pressure the way he did is really special.”

He added that Jochum’s leadership extended beyond his scores. “What makes Austin even more special is the type of teammate he is,” Nichols said. “He leads by example, supports his teammates, and genuinely cares about the success of the team.”

Jochum credited both hard work and the support of those around him for helping him reach the top of the podium. “I think the biggest factor that has helped me reach this point was hard work and support,” he said. “Being able to want to get better every day is important when you are trying to get better at golf.”

He thanked his teammates and coaches, Craig Nichols and Ben Deines, for believing in him throughout his career, while also expressing gratitude for the support of his family. He gave special recognition to his father, who introduced him to golf at a young age and helped teach him the game, as well as his parents for the sacrifices they have made to support his development. Jochum also thanked his grandparents, extended family, instructor Jon Petersen, and his friends and peers. “The sacrifices that my parents have made for me to play this game at the level I do is amazing and they are a big reason why I am where I’m at,” Jochum said.

The individual title became even more meaningful because it came alongside a team championship. “It was very special to win an individual title, but I’m even happier that I got to win a team title with my teammates,” Jochum said. “To be the first ones to do it in the history of Bennington and the first individual champion is very special to me, my teammates and coaches.”

Clark, who finished tied for fifth after rounds of 80 and 73, said the team’s confidence was evident from the start of the season. “Going into the season we knew we had a lot of talent and potential to go far,” Clark said. “The team was able to play well all season because we were able to rely on each other.”

He said the season-ending result was a fitting reward for the group’s efforts. “We had an amazing team and we were able to end it on a good note with a state championship and Austin winning individually,” Clark said.

In addition to Jochum and Clark, Thornburg earned a state medal with a two-round total of 156, while Jax Gifford finished tied for 17th at 158 and Kale Lamberty tied for 23rd at 159.

For Nichols, the accomplishment carries significance far beyond a trophy. “Winning a state championship is something these players and this program will treasure for a long time,” he said. “They put in countless hours practicing, competing, and preparing for this opportunity.”

The title also represents a milestone in the growth of the Bennington golf program. “For our program, this championship means a great deal because it was the first state title for the Bennington High School golf program,” Nichols said. “It reflects the growth and culture they have been building.”

The coach noted that the Badgers’ dominance extended throughout the postseason. “To win Conference, Districts, and State while setting school records at all three events says a lot about this team and the direction of Bennington golf,” Nichols said.

While the championship itself will be remembered for years to come, Nichols said he is equally proud of the way his players represented their school. “We are proud of the accomplishment,” he said, “but we are also proud of how these young men represented Bennington High School.”