Utah junior is named USA Today’s best boys high school golfer

Kihei Akina has only finished half of his high school golf career, but the Utah junior has already accomplished plenty.

After leading Lone Peak High School to its fifth straight Class 6A state title last spring, Akina was named the National Boys High School Golfer of the Year by USA Today and was featured on the recent national awards show.

Akina, who is ranked 24th in the Golfweek/Sagarin boys rankings, is the younger brother of a former Brigham Young University golfer.

Offers are starting to come in for Akina, who used a pair 64s to help Lone Peak break the state tournament scoring record. The team finished the event at 43 under par at TalonsCove Golf Club in Saratoga Springs.

Here is a look at the 25 nominees for the national award.