The top two golfers at Wednesday's East Valley Invitational went about their business in contrasting ways. The more volatile scorecard won out.

Casteel's Wyatt Chapman carded a 6-under 65 to edge Queen Creek and Valley newcomer Eli Cruzan by one stroke to take medalist honors at the annual event at Las Colinas Golf Club. Cruzan's 5-under 66 helped the Bulldogs forge a first-place tie for the team title with Williams Field. Both schools finished with two-under totals of 282 for the 18-hole competition. The tie breaker gave the official nod of champ to Williams Field for having the best aggregate score on the toughest handicap hole.

Chapman, a senior who finished tied for fourth last October in the Division II state tournament in Tucson, presented a colorful scorecard. He collected eight birdies, one eagle and four bogeys in the round. Chapman was three-under for the final four holes to outduel Cruzan.

As a result of outplaying Casteel teammate Rio Newcombe, who finished third at state last year, Chapman got to pick the post-game meal site tabbing In-and-Out over Chick-fil-A.

Cruzan, a senior and move-in late this summer from Washington state, was the epitome of consistency. His card featured five birdies and no bogeys. The Cruzan family relocated to the Valley over July and August finally settling in in their new home as August began. Washington holds its golf season in the spring and the 2020 state championships there were canceled due to COVID-19.

                                                                               Queen Creek's Eli Cruzan puts the finishing touch on his round of 65 on Wednesday. (AzPreps365 photo)

Tightly bunched behind Williams Field and Queen Creek in the team standings were Casteel (284), Higley (286) and Highland (287). In all 12 players shot scores under par. The rest were Highland's Trevor Grenier and McClintock's Jerris Baker (68); Highland's Dallin Delgado, Williams Field's Ryan Johnson, Higley's Kai Heiner and Seton Catholic's Nik Kittilson (69) and Campo Verde's Zack Mumman and Williams Field's Eli Asolas and Ben Carr (70).