His No. 1 and No. 3 golfers didn’t play their best, giving the Blue Devils the opportunity to knock the Vikings from the ranks of the unbeaten after coming so close to doing just that earlier in the season. 

“They were getting a little nervous with the undefeated thing,” Grace said. “They wanted to keep that going and sometimes that weighs on you a little bit.”

But Oxford Hills again found a way to come out victorious, thanks in large part to Mac Kim, who took medalist honors with a 1-under 34 in the Vikings’ 6½-2½ win over Lewiston on Wednesday at Norway Country Club. It was Kim’s first round under par this season.

“I just had to stay focused and trust in the abilities God gave me,” Kim said. “I was able to keep a consistent tempo today and I guess overall I had a strong core and was just able to focus and focus on the task at hand.”

Kim defeated Lewiston’s Stephanie Rodrigue 4-and-3 at No. 2, one of three match victories for the Vikings (8-0). The Oxford Hills junior reeled off consecutive birdies on holes three and four to take control of his match.

Kim looked to be in trouble on the par-4 third, with his shot off the tee landing in deep rough backed up near a tree. But his iron shot cleared the tree and landed 20 feet from the hole. He drained the putt to win the hole.

“That shot he hit on three from just inside the thick grass, I was just amazed he could get it over the trees, and then to make the putt was amazing,” Grace said. “I was really pleased to see him play well. I’ve been waiting for him to bust loose.”  

Kim parred the next four holes before seeing his putt for eagle on the ninth lip out.

“The course played tough,” Kim said. “The pin placements were a little on the hard end. For what we had I thought we did well as a team.” 

Despite not playing their best golf, Cam Letourneau at No. 1 and Chris Burns at No. 3 both won their respective matches. Letourneau defeated Lewiston’s Brendon Croteau 1-up and Burns topped Andrew Loisel 3-and-2. Letourneau and Croteau each carded 41s. Burns shot a 39 and Loisel a 44.   

“The Oxford Hills kids were able to pull some things out,” Lewiston coach Jace Pearson said. “Mac Kim had a great round. He had been struggling throughout the year and he played well. My one and two players played very well again and they’re showing a lot of promise. My number six player (Sam Zashut) shot a 42, which is one of his best this season.” 

The Blue Devils (3-5) did their damage at Nos. 4-6. Kyle Morin won his match via forfeit and Jeromey Rancourt and Trey Dekutoski halved their match. Lewiston’s Zashut defeated Oxford Hills’ Ken Kozak 4-and-3. 

“We finally got our stroke totals down, which is a good thing for us at the end of the season going into the playoffs,” Pearson said. “Not where we wanted to finish the season, but we had a lot of close matches. Hopefully the kids saw a little inner fortitude to spur them into the postseason.” 

mkraft@sunjournal.com

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