LAKEWOOD — Lakewood sophomore Ryan Liao kept tradition going for the Tigers’ boys golf program Thursday afternoon at Fox Hollow Golf Course.
Liao wrapped up the Class 5A Jeffco League individual medalist title with a round of 74 at the final conference tournament of the season. While the sophomore admitted thoughts of winning the title wasn’t at the front of his mind to start the season, but it quickly became a reality.
“It was really after my first round at West Woods. That round of 66,” Liao said when he thought he would have a shot at the league title. “I set my standards higher after knowing I could go low.”
It was a three-peat for Lakewood when it came to winning the individual medalist title. Liao joined Lakewood graduates Jack Castiglia (2017) and Griffin Barela (2016) on becoming the third straight Tiger golfer to win the league title.
Lakewood will now head to 5A Northern regional state qualifying tournament Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora.
“The goal is to get my team to state and hopefully top-10 or top-5 individually at state,” Liao said.
Valor Christian won the 5A Jeffco team title in the Eagles’ first season playing up in 5A. Valor landed three seniors — Jake Welch, Ty Findlow and Trevor White — on the 1st-team all-conference team.
