Last year, the Thornton Academy golf team captured the SMAA Championship, but would go on to finish a “disappointing” fourth at the state tournament.

This season, the Golden Trojans were focused on taking the next step – and they did just that last weekend as they cruised to the 2015 state team title at Natanis Golf Club.

“I think the team was pretty disappointed with how we played last year and they were very motivated to get back to Natanis and at least go out there and try to play as well as we could,” said Thornton Academy coach Jeff Camire. “We can’t control what the other teams are doing out there, but we felt pretty confident that on our best day we would be tough to beat.” Leading the way for the Trojans was defending girls’ individual state champion Hashilla Rivai, who fired a 72 to lead the entire tournament.

“She is the best golfer I have ever had the privilege to coach,” said Camire, who is in his second year as the varsity coach, but in his 11th overall after spending nine years in the JV ranks. “We have never had a golfer with the combination of her ability, poise and overall understanding of how to play the game.”

Rivai has consistently set the tone for the Trojans – and that didn’t stop last weekend.

“Having her at the top of the lineup is a luxury, particularly in a state tournament. I trust all my players on the course, but with Hashilla it’s different … her consistency is off the charts,” said Camire.

Although having Rivai at the top is key, the rest of the Trojans also stepped up at Natanis.

“Typically, her scores are pretty low, which adds a buffer for the rest of the team, in the event we needed to keep a higher score. One of the best things about this championship is that we could have thrown out Hashilla’s score and still have won,” said Camire.

Greg Kalagais and Jordan Laplume also played major roles in the Trojans’ championship victory as both standouts carded identical scores of 79.

Camire had high praise for Kalagais.

“Greg is our captain and probably our most dedicated golfer. He has worked so hard to improve his game,” said Camire. “He is a true gentleman on the course and has been the most consistent golfer on our team for the past year – just behind Hashilla. Greg was ready for this tournament and his performance proved that.”

The TA coach also wasn’t shy about lauding Laplume.

“Jordan is our lone sophomore in the top five and she’s been very steady throughout the year,” said Camire. “With such a strong lineup, it says a lot about her ability to come in and play a significant role for us this year. Saturday’s 79 was no surprise to me. She is a very talented golfer that not many people know about. Jordan will be one of the top golfers in the state next year.”

Another key to the Trojans’ victory was the depth provided by players like Logan Picard, who shot 80 on Saturday, and Noah Jacques, who finished with an 84.

“Logan and Noah would be in the top two for just about every team in our league,” said Camire. “They have both been rocks for this program for the past three years.”

Camire has been especially impressed with Picard over the last few weeks.

“Logan might be the most talented golfer in the program. His focus in the last two weeks of the season gave him tremendous confidence and the results were obvious,” said Camire. “He was 75 in the qualifier and was 77 in a practice round. Shooting 80 was actually a little higher than he’s been, but given the conditions, it was an outstanding score.”

One thing that has helped Jacques become a major contributor for the Trojans has been his attitude.

“Noah is one of the most positive-thinking kids I’ve ever coached. He never gives up on a hole and when his putter gets going he’s one of the best around,” said Camire. “He had some struggles on the course this year, but never let it get him down.”

Camire believes the work his players put in during the offseason was also key to their success.

“We had nearly every varsity player involved in multiple junior tournaments throughout the summer, with a couple of them playing out of state,” said Camire. “There is no substitute for tournament experience and I am convinced that made a significant difference for us, as well as having four seniors in the lineup.”

The Trojans will now focus on the individual championships, which will take place on Saturday back at Natanis, and will feature six TA girls and three boys.

“Ironically, all of these kids cared more about the team championship than trying to accomplish something at the individual tournament,” said Camire, who said nothing will change for his team heading into this weekend. “It’s the same approach that we’ve had all year. They will all be focusing on hitting their next shot as best they can, and move on to the next one.”

Rivai will be the favorite to capture the girls title for the second straight year, but Camire also believes Laplume and Riley Donovan will be strong contenders.

“Hashilla will probably be considered the favorite, but we have two other golfers, Jordan Laplume and Riley Donovan, who could make some noise up there as well,” said Camire, who will also have Napat Intarachumnum and junior varsity players Kylie Lavallee and Ripley Biggs competing in the girls’ tournament.

Camire is hoping this experience will help Lavallee and Biggs moving forward.

“This is their first time in this tournament, so we just want them to enjoy themselves and try to learn something for next year,” said Camire.

On the boys’ side of things, Kalagais, Picard and Zach Foss will look to do some damage against the state’s best golfers.

“The boys are all seniors and it’s really nice that they have one last chance to compete,” said Camire. “Greg and Logan are both very capable of having a really low round and Zach Foss is one of the most mentally tough kids I’ve ever coached, so he may surprise people, too.”

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.