HERMISTON — Hermiston sophomore Colby Lerten averaged an 81 during the six Mid-Columbia Conference matches, earning him all-conference honorable mention honors.

“He did good,” Hermiston coach Steve Utter said. “He was 11th until the last tournament, then one of the other kids passed him.”

Lerten was the only Bulldog to earn all-conference honors.

Richland swept the conference awards as Kaedon Smith was named golfer of the year, Mike Neidhold was selected coach of the year, and the Bombers were the regular-season champions.

Lerten shot a 78 to open the season at Zintel Creek Golf Club, then repeated the feat the next week to place third overall at Canyon Lakes Golf Course. His next lowest score was an 80 during the fourth event.

“For Colby to come out with honorable mention is great,” Utter said. “He has his sights set on something bigger next year. He competes with the top guys every time.”

Lerten qualified for the 3A District 8 tournament, and grabbed one of the six individual spots to state. He shot matching 78s over the two rounds at MeadowWood Golf Course in Liberty Lake, Washington.

At state, Lerten shot a 85 during the first round and just missed the cut for the second round at Hawks Prairie Golf Course — The Links, in Lacey, Washington.

“There are a bunch of those kids who were first and second team who didn’t make the state tournament,” Utter said. “He’ll continue to get better, mature and do everything you are supposed to do to get better every year. I’m excited to see his progression. He has a great work ethic.”

Golfer of the year: Kaedon Smith, jr., Richland.

Coach of the year: Mike Neidhold, Richland.

First team

Kaedon Smith, jr., Richland; Cole Nighswonger, fr., Hanford; Jake Raymond, jr., Pasco; Davis Sheets, sr., Richland; Drew Frei, sr., Richland; Kobey Bates, jr., Kamiakin.

Second team

Cormac Meinshausen, fr., Hanford; Max Schuster, sr., Richland; Nile Dumser, so., Walla Walla; Gavin Roth, sr., Richland; Diem Martinez, fr., Chiawana; Joel Martinez, jr., Chiawana.

Honorable mention

Colby Lerten, so., Hermiston; Cooper Bender, fr., Kamiakin; Braden Evans, so., Chiawana; Lachlan Baumann, sr., Hanford; Evan Patterson, so., Pasco; Ender Douglass, fr., Chiawana.