But it was the Utes' day Thursday at Soldier Hollow Golf Club. After finishing second to Park City in every Region 10 golf tournament this season, the Utes broke through when it mattered most.

For the first time since 1969, when it was classified as a 'B' school in a two-class system, Uintah won a state golf championship. The Utes edged the Miners by two strokes (643-645) and are probably still celebrating today in Vernal and its surrounding communities.

"We just kind of held it together," coach Kent McCurdy said. "Really, we're kind of in a little bit of shock."

With no seniors and just two juniors, Matthew Gudac and Jake Bailey, the Utes might just be building a little golf dynasty out in the Basin. A freshman, Alex Baldridge, also contributed to the groundbreaking win, along with sophomores Stratton Schulz, Chase Hanberg and Blake Rollins.

The Utes and Miners both shot 317 on Thursday, so it was Wednesday's 326 when conditions were brutal that really gave the Utes the win while Park City was shooting 328.

"We've been chasing Park City all year," McCurdy said. "Been right behind 'em, getting a little closer, it seems, like each time."

The Utes took second at state three times in McCurdy's 20-year coaching career, losing in sudden-death playoffs twice.

The race for medalist wasn't nearly as close, as Judge Memorial senior Andrew Etzel fired a two-day total of 148 (4-over-par) to win by three strokes over Delta's Kyle Hill, who shot a day's-best 73 on Thursday.

"It's the first tournament I have ever won," said Etzel. "It feels pretty good."

Etzel said he had a rough stretch on holes 13-15, making two bogeys and a double bogey, but pulled it together down the stretch to get the victory.

"I just played smart," he said. "Nothing flashy. I kept it in play and used a 3-iron off the tee several times, instead of driver."

With Dixie having joined 4-A after winning the last two 3-A championships, balance was the theme of this tournament. The top seven players were all from different schools, as Union's McLayne Eldredge, Cedar's Jeff Evans, Uintah's Schulz, Carbon's Jason Child and Waterford's Blake Peterson (last year's 2-A medalist) were within nine shots of Etzel.

drew@sltrib.com

* The Uintah Utes win their first state golf championship since 1969, edging Region 10

rival Park City by two strokes, 643-645.