Thunderbirds senior Justin Menard missed the Class 2 state tournament by one stroke in 2013.
He'll have no such problem this year.
Menard shot an 11-over-par-83 to finish in ninth place at the Class 2, Sectional 2 tournament on Monday at Eagle Knoll Golf Course. With his performance, Menard earned a spot in the Class 2 boys' golf championships, scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday at Silo Ridge Golf Club in Bolivar.
Blair Oaks' Kory Franks won the sectional title with a 2-over-par-74 while the Falcons won the team crown with a score of 334. Eugene finished in second with 347, Palmyra was third at 351 while Macon (377) and Centralia (378) rounded out the top five.
Menard finished at six-over-par through the first nine holes, but birdied the 18th to cap off a five-over effort on the back nine.
"After talking to him, I think he was a little nervous because this meant a lot to him to qualify for state," North Callaway head coach Jason Smith said. "He did what he needed to do to make it to state...I'm proud of him for that."
South Callaway senior Garner Rudroff posted a 20-over-par-92 to finish in a three-way tie for 20th place. Freshman Blake Parker tallied a 26-over-par-98 to come in 34th place.
Tee times for the boys' golf championships will be announced later this week.