Submitted photo The Boardman boys golf team placed fourth at the 2017 Kiley Cup with Cole Christman, Cade Kreps, Brian Terlesky Jr., Bobby Jonda and Bryan Kordupel, coached by Brian Terlesky. Christman, Kreps, Terlesky Jr. and Kordupel all play for Youngstown State University’s golf team.

Three straight trips to the Division I state boys golf tournament, the Boardman High School golfers remember it well.

Brian Terlesky Jr., Bryan Kordupel, Cole Christman and Cade Kreps will be reliving the 2015-17 high school seasons this fall at Youngstown State University. The four Boardman graduates are all on YSU’s 2020 golf roster.

“I think it’s going to be better,” Kordupel said. “We all went our separate ways for a few years, matured a little bit. To come back together, it’s going to be a little nostalgic, but like a reunion almost. We’re going to build our relationship even further.”

Competition made this grouping great as they made a three-year run at the state tournament in which the Spartans finished seventh, sixth and fifth.

“We were successful because we competed against each other and always wanted to beat each other in practice,” Terlesky said. “When it came time for matches, we knew what it would take to succeed.”

Kordupel was just getting into the game his freshman year at Boardman. Terlesky, Christman and Kreps all had experience. Kordupel watched, learned and quickly became part of the successful grouping that had great chemistry on and off the course. Car rides and hanging out in hotel rooms, those were great memories.

“Those are the best times we had together,” Kordupel said.

Christman is happy that the crew is back together in another team setting.

“We messed with each other a lot,” he said. “We joked around. We have fun. At the end of the day, we were serious and have each other’s back on the course. We were in it together. No matter what, we were in it together and have fun with each other.”

This cohesiveness on the course during those state runs didn’t happen by accident.

“Our games were in a really good place, all four of us at the same time,” Kreps said. “We really worked hard together and enjoyed the game. You don’t go to state off of being good friends and whatnot. Your games have to be in a good place. Our chemistry, the four of us coming together like we did, being such good friends all the way through high school off the course as well. Have each other’s back mentality really helped.”

Kreps had that same feeling when it came to YSU men’s golf coach Tony Joy. Kreps played for the Akron Zips, but the school’s men’s golf program was cut this spring. Kreps needed a place to go. He reached out to Joy.

He was recruited by YSU prior to going to Akron, but stayed in touch with Joy.

“After this happened, he was my first call,” Kreps said. “He’s always been there. He’s recruited me from the beginning. I really respect him. I’m excited to keep working with him.”

Christman and Kreps have three years of eligiblity, while Kordupel and Terlesky each have two.

Christman said Joy is the kind of coach that brings out the best in you.

“The personal relationship I have with him is great,” Christman said. “I’m glad that I have it. I hate to let him down.”

Playing at YSU is something special for these four and other area golfers. Cardinal Mooney’s Ken Keller, Campbell’s Dean Austalosh, Garfield’s Derek Miller and Brookfield’s Conner Stevens will be playing for the Penguins this fall.

The WATTS, Avalon Lakes, Youngstown Country Club and Mill Creek are some of the courses available to the YSU golfers to hone their games.

There’s a sense of pride playing for the Penguins.

“It’s home to us,” Kordupel said. “We want to make everyone proud around the community.”

Getting back four Boardman golfers in one place, that is another sense of pride to the Spartan and Penguins communities.

“We are excited to be reunited and we expect to do the same things that we did in high school like winning and having fun,” Terlesky said.