Gibson goes nuts on day two again to earn All-Ohio honors

Last season Garaway junior Trace Gibson qualified for state and did what it seems all Garaway individuals do when they make it to state, struggling on day one only to rebound with a spectacular score that elevated him into All-Ohio status.

Well, Gibson pulled off a terrific sequel in very similar fashion on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14 during the Division III state meet on the Scarlet Golf Course in Columbus, where he turned in his second All-Ohio performance.

Last year at Sunbury’s NorthStar Golf Course, Gibson crept out of the gate with an 83 on day one, only to completely turn things around and finish with a 75 on day two for a 158, good for seventh overall and a spot on the second-team All-Ohio squad.

This time he duplicated the drama, carving out a 79 on day one that left him on the outside looking in on the coveted top 10. So what did the junior with the calm demeanor do? He simply posted a 73, the third lowest round of the day, which propelled him to fourth overall, good for a spot on the first-team All-Ohio crew.

“My goal was to be top 10,” Gibson said. “That first day the nerves were a little troubling, but once I settled in, I was OK.”

Gibson said he thought he hit the ball really well on day one, which was cause for some frustration.

His head coach Mikayla Johnson said she knew after watching her star junior fight through day one that he had it in him to rebound with a strong score.

“If someone watching Trace play didn’t know what his score was and judged it simply from the way he was striking the ball on day one, I think they’d have thought he shot around a 74,” Johnson said. “He struck the ball really well, but I think a couple of birdie opportunities turned into bogeys and the false fronts on the greens were getting him.”

There was no panic, not that Gibson ever panics.

“I knew I was hitting it well on day one. I really was happy with the way I played, just not the result,” Gibson said. “Things didn’t fall into place, and it was frustrating, but I knew I was in position to make a solid run on day two.”

He did, and he started swatting aside competitors vying for a spot among the top 10 like they were gnats.

A stellar start gave him plenty of confidence, and he never wavered, playing very steady golf, moving from a tie for 15th all the way up to fourth.

Thus, he found himself standing with the best players in Div. III on the podium after the tournament was done, and as a junior, he now has a chance to place his name among the all-time greats in school history next season, although in truth he may already be there.

“We talked about day two being moving day, and he went to work, just like he did last year,” Johnson said. “He’s able to focus under any circumstance, and I think — and if you asked Trace he agrees — that we haven’t even seen the best of him, which is the scary part.”

Johnson said she tried to divert his attention away from the leader board and current standing, although she said he did finally take a peek with about three holes to play and liked where he stood.

“Trace is just levelheaded and never wavers from playing his game, and that’s why we see him standing up here for a second year in a row,” Johnson said.

Like he had all day, Gibson calmly accepted his All-Ohio medal. Now he will look forward to playing at state again in his senior year, whether it’s as part of his team or as an individual.