ST. JOHN | Aaron Amick used his putter nine times through three holes at Friday's Lake Central Sectional at Palmira Golf Club.
With 15 strokes through three holes, including a four-putt on No. 2, the Bishop Noll junior's streak of individual regional qualification was in jeopardy.
However, he finished the next 15 holes in 66 strokes to card a 9-over-par 81 and advance to next Friday's LaPorte Regional at Beechwood as the top individual on a non-qualifying team. That makes him 3-for-3 qualifying for the regional individually.
"It's encouraging," Amick said. "The last couple years I didn't do so good (at the regional). This year I'm hoping to get to state.
"Tee to green I played good the entire time today. I just kept lifting my head up too much on putts."
Noll's 464 team total was fifth behind regional qualifiers Lake Central (328), Munster (330) and Griffith (360), as well as Highland (362).
The Indians, led by individual medalist Thomas Cameron's 77, won their fourth consecutive sectional crown.
Second-year L.C. coach John Schneider was thrilled with the close win but also eager to inform former coach Tim Powers of the news. Powers' father passed away on Thursday night, so Schneider knew Friday's result would elicit a smile.
"It's a sublime feeling to win four in a row," Schneider said. "Munster was on our tails all day, and we feel fortunate to beat them."
Vince Barker (82), John Gruszczyk (84) and David Rossi (85) kept the Indians in front. Cameron, a freshman, needed just 27 putts.
"I was hitting it good," Cameron said. "I was focused and making things happen."
Munster sophomore Daniel Falloon (79) was second individually for the runner-up Mustangs, a double bogey on 15 away from catching Cameron.
"I feel like in golf you've just got to make shots and move on," Falloon said. "We're all feeling pretty good as a team. (First-year) coach (Bill) Smitka makes us feel like we can do anything."
Amick's Noll teammate Luke Forniciari tied Highland's Seth Peters with an 87 for the final individual regional qualifying spots.
