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ROCKPORT — After some key graduations a year ago, Chris Junkins wasn’t sure what type of season Bangor would have in 2026.

On Monday, the young Rams showed their potential.

Battling through hail, thunder and lightning, Bangor (160) repeated as Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A champions, holding off Messalonskee (164) and Camden Hills (174) on the Par-34 front nine of Samoset Resort Golf Course.

“We lost a lot of seniors last year, so (this year) kind of felt like a rebuild after that,” said Junkins, Bangor’s head coach. “But as the year started and we started playing, you could see that our team was good, with some good young players who are helping us out.”

Junior Jacoby Harvey led the way for Bangor, shooting a 2-over 36, followed by junior Carter Catell (38) and freshman Mason Webb (42).

Play began at 3 p.m., but after only two holes, a quick but powerful hail storm hit the course, along with thunder and lightning. Each player left their golf balls on the course, hopped into their golf carts and headed back to the clubhouse.

Play resumed at 4:45 p.m., leaving players less than two hours to finish their round before dark. Playing quickly, the final group finished play at 6:30.

“The upperclassmen, we’ve been here before, but we were telling the younger players, ‘Stay patient, keep your head and don’t lose sight of what we’re looking for,'” Harvey said. “Every shot, each kid is dealing with the same thing. You just have to be mentally stronger than the other kids and we’ll do what we need to do.”

Junkins said the Rams’ experiences this season help them secure Monday’s win.

‘We were here Saturday and played two rounds on the front (nine),” Junkins said. “They were able to see the course twice. We played in wind at home. A week ago, we played in a lot of wind at Penobscot Valley (Country Club in Orono) for our pod championship. We played in the rain this year. I think all of that plays in the results at the end (of the year), learning different golf courses, giving them different opportunities to play and learn.”

Messalonskee had a strong outing from their No. 2 player, junior Greyson Dooley, who shot a 3-over 37. Junior Trent Bell shot 42, while senior Evan Hayes shot 43.

Freshman Ryan Irish (5-over 39) had the top score for Camden Hills, while senior Lila Dailey and junior Landon Reynolds each shot 45.

The postseason continues Tuesday with the KVAC Qualifier at Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro. The Class A championships are scheduled for Friday, while the Class B and Class C championships will be on Saturday. All three rounds will be held at Natanis.

“That’s a big win over two big teams (today), that’s a big momentum swing,” Harvey said. “We’re not going to take (Tuesday) lightly, we’re going to try to set a new low (score), hopefully, and keep that momentum going into Friday and just do the same thing and maybe get a state championship.”