By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Josiah Gilbert had a heck of a freshman season on the Auburn golf team. In his first year on the Plains, the former Mustang made the Auburn starting lineup, and was a vital part of the team’s SEC Championship and the school’s first ever national championship in golf. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week during the season and earned SEC All-Freshman honors.
In the SEC Championships, Gilbert went 3 for 3 in match play, clinching the SEC tournament championship for Auburn by defeating Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent, a defending NCAA medalist. In an article by secsports.com, following the SEC Tournament Championship, Auburn Head Coach Nick Clinard said, “How about our freshmen? How about Josiah Gilbert and how about Jackson Koivun in stroke play and match play, going 3-0. We’re not standing right here without them; I can promise you that.” The SEC title is the 5th in the history of the Auburn program.
After winning the SEC championship, the Tigers advanced to the NCAA Regionals, where they won the Baton Rouge Regional after delivering a 20-under final round to win the Regional by eight strokes. Gilbert finished the Baton Rouge Regionals in 5th place overall with a 5-under. The win qualified the Tigers for the NCAA championships in Carlsbad, California.
Auburn advanced to match play in the NCAA quarterfinals, where Gilbert defeated Virginia’s Bryan Lee. Gilbert never trailed in the match. Auburn defeated Ohio State in the NCAA semi-finals, and Florida State in the Championship match. Gilbert finished 47th overall in the NCAA Championships. “It feels amazing to be a part of history and to help create something that will be remembered forever,” said Gilbert.
The former SEHS golfer was not surprised at the Tigers’ success. “From day one, the first workout of the year we told each other we would be national champions and from that moment on we have done everything to do that,” said Gilbert.
The freshman also credited his teammates for how they pushed each other during the year. “I think we’re the closest group in the nation for sure and we make sure day in and out to push each other to the extreme and make each other as good as possible.”
Gilbert, who is ranked #100 in Clippd college player rankings, has hopes to return to the same stage next season. “I think we can just aim for more of the same. We had one of if not the best season in college history, and we want to stay consistent and come back hungry for more.”
