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CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. – The 68th NYS Boys’ 14U Junior Amateur Championship went down to the wire at Eagle Crest Golf Club Tuesday afternoon with Francisco Cupp, of Saratoga Golf and Polo Club, claiming the title. After coming up short in this championship a year ago, Cupp wasn't letting that happen twice.

Related: Championship Central / Results / Photos / Rd 1 Recap

Cupp had a two-shot lead going into the final round Tuesday morning and started with a birdie on hole 1 to extend that lead. Steady golf throughout the hot summer day was needed, and he succeeded. With two birdies on the day, both on the front nine, he shot 75, three over par for the day. 

Cupp didn't make it easy on himself as on the 18th hole, he hit his drive left with no shot to hit the green in two on the short par 5. He ended up punching his shot into the fairway and then hit his third short of the green. He had a two-shot lead at this point, with it coming down to the final couple of shots for the final grouping. Cupp ended up getting on the green and two-putting for bogey. 

Cupp on his round, "I wanted to play it round by round, and I really enjoyed this course being right next to home. Last year was a bummer, but to get it done this year really meant a lot."

"The nerves kind of got to me, but I was able to hold it together coming down 18 to get it done."

Braeden Lee, of Willowbrook Golf Course, made it interesting by getting on the par 5 in two shots and looked for an eagle to force a playoff, just barely missing the left side of the cup and tapping in for birdie. Lee almost caught Cupp, but it wasn't enough as he finished runner-up. Lee ended up shooting 74, 2 over par. The other player in the final grouping was Brayden Thomas, of Drumlins Golf Club, finishing three shots back of Cupp and posting a round of 73, 2 over par. Dylan Suchak, of Transit Valley Country Club, finished solo fourth at three over par for the championship and a final round of 71, 1 under par. Wrapping up the top 5, Michael Jordan, of Crag Burn Golf Club, was the only other player to shoot in red figures on the final round as he finished at four over par for the championship and a final round also of 71, 1 under par.

Tied for sixth place were Theodore Yang, of Wykagyl Country Club, Padraic Schamberger, NYSGA eClub - Western NY, and Palmer Vetri, of Youth On Course - MGA, who finished at six over par. Right behind them at seven over and solo ninth was TJ Lee, of Hudson National Golf Club. Wrapping up the top-10 was a two-way tie, both finishing at nine over par, Brevin Bennett, of Canasawacta Country Club, and Jaxon Wong, of Youth On Course - MGA.

The age group winner for the 12U flight was Grady Boyer, of NYSGA eClub - Adirondacks. The Boys 13 flight ended up being Brayden Thomas, of Drumlins Golf Club. The Boys 14 flight was Michael Jordan, of Crag Burn Golf Club.

Eagle Crest Golf Club played at 6,068 yards and a par 72 for the Boys’ field. 

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In the 3rd NYS Girls 14U Junior Amateur Championship, there was a come-from-behind victory for Natalie Wasik, of Lockport Town and Country Club, to repeat as the Champion for the second consecutive year. Wasik was the only player in both fields to shoot in red figures for both rounds in the championship, with a three under, 69, Monday and one under, 71 in the final round.

Wasik and Maddie Chang, of MET PGA Junior Golf Club, went head to head in the final grouping on Tuesday, as going into the round, Chang had a one-shot lead. Wasik erased that deficit with an early birdie on hole 5, taking the lead. On the back nine, Chang made a triple bogey, looking like it was all but over, until back-to-back birdies on holes 12 and 13, and Wasik led by one shot. Chang ultimately and Wasik went to the 18th hole with Wasik up by two shots as both of the girls made par, crowning Wasik as the champion for the second year in a row.

Wasik on defending her title, "Pressure, you have to deal with it... Staying strong and focused throughout the round."

Wasik on her round, "I birdied 10; that was a good momentum change for me. I had a new mindset of playing like match play and not letting (Chang) get any holes up on me."

In solo third was Hailey Yap, of Youth On Course - MGA, finishing at six over par for the championship. Right behind Yap was Claire Brady, of East Aurora Country Club, sitting at seven over par. 

Wrapping up the top five was a two-way tie with Elliana Kent, of Beaver Meadows Golf Club, and last year’s 14U Junior Amateur Championship runner-up, Katlynn Smith, of Rip Van Winkle Country Club, both finishing at nine over for the championship.

The girls age group winners were, 13 year old age group Elliana Kent, of Beaver Meadows Golf Club and claiming the 14 year old age group was Hailey Yap, of Youth On Course - MGA.

Eagle Crest Golf Club played at 5,002 yards and par 72 for the Girls’ field.