The Pacers are right where they want to be.

Headed to state.

The Lakeridge boys golf team made that a reality on Monday, May 12, when they took second in the Special District 2 At-Large Regional Tournament at the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn.

The Pacers played their way to state by shooting 309 as a team and finishing behind only tournament champion Tigard’s 301. Their berth in the upcoming Class 6A state tournament will mark Lakeridge’s first team appearance since 2008.

“I think it’s a great thing that we made state,” said Lakeridge junior Noah Willott, who tied for fourth with a 2-over-par 74. “It’s my first time going to state as a team (and I) heard that Lakeridge hasn’t made it to state in years.”

“This is a really big deal for us because Lakeridge hasn’t made it to state in a long time as a team,” said Pacer senior Rylan Smalley, who placed 20th at 82. “As a team, we really focused on just taking one shot at a time and not worrying about what others were doing around us and just focusing on our own games.”

The complete team scoring included: Tigard 301, Lakeridge 309, West Linn 313, Nelson 326, Barlow 339, Clackamas 348, Oregon City inc., David Douglas inc., Tualatin inc., Sandy inc.

Next up, the Pacers, Lake Oswego (the Lakers won a berth to state at district), and West Linn’s Cade McVicker and Cade Lee will play in the Class 6A state tournament, set for 12:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 19-20, at the OGA Golf Course.

Also qualifying as individuals for state were: Oregon City senior Trevin Welton (fourth at 74); and Tualatin sophomore Ethan Paulson (ninth at 77). West Linn’s McVicker, a junior, won Monday’s regional with a 1-under-par 71. He and fellow Lion junior Lee had previously qualified for state at the Three Rivers League district tournament.

“The key to my win was staying patient with myself when I went through the struggles of the round,” McVicker said. “I was able to finish off with some birdies which was great and got me back into contention.”

Lakeridge results: 4. Noah Willott (JR) 74; 8. Moses Haddad (FR), 76; 20. Rylan Smalley (SR) 82; 9. Injoon Park (SO), 77; 23. Kyle Frank (SO), 84.

West Linn results: 1. Cade McVicker (JR), 71; 4. Cade Lee (JR), 74; 15. Grady Kane (JR), 81; 27. Cole Dickson (JR), 87; 32. Luke Dickson (SO), 90.