Former SEHS golfer Josiah Gilbert named All SEC and wins second National Championship at Auburn

Scott Nickerson

Elmore Autauga News

Josiah Gilbert starred for the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs’ golf team in 2023 when he finished tied for second in the Class 6A state tournament, the highest ever finish for a Mustang golfer. Gilbert then accepted a scholarship to Auburn University and has excelled even more, with a long list of accomplishments.

As a freshman, Gilbert was on the Tigers’ national championship team and was named to the All-SEC Freshman team.  As a sophomore, Gilbert was named 2nd Team All-SEC and 2nd Team All-American. In his third college season, Gilbert was named 1st Team All-SEC and All Southeast Region. Most notably, Gilbert again helped the Tigers clinch a national championship at the Omni LaCosta Champions Course in Carlsbad, California.

“It feels amazing to be able to win another championship,” said Gilbert. “It’s what we dream of and work for every day.”

While the Tigers were ranked #1 heading into the NCAA Athens Regionals, they struggled initially but finished third and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Gilbert excelled during the Regional, earning a top 5 finish with a final round of 69 to finish with an 11-under.

“I thought the way we fought through Regionals after a tough 2-day set the tone for nationals,” said Gilbert.

In the stroke play portion of the NCAA championships, Gilbert led the Tigers and finished 3rd individually at 11-under par. In the quarterfinals, Gilbert won his match against Jay Leng from Stanford, and in the semi-finals, Gilbert defeated Ethan Fang from Oklahoma State.

Gilbert has another college season left at Auburn. He wants to finish his career the same way his season ended as a freshman and junior to win a national championship.