Middletown's Alex Hoffman hits an approach shot on the seventh hole Wednesday during the state tournment.

High-fives were plentiful as the successful participants celebrated -- and the majority of them belonged to Frederick County.

Urbana and Middletown swept the team championships in respective 4A-3A and 2A-1A divisions, while Middletown 's Alex Hoffman had a fitting end to his high school career with his second individual state title in three years.

"We were all cheering for each other to do well today," Hoffman said of his county counterparts.

Led by Hoffman, the Knights won their first state 2A-1A title since 1996, defeating Marriott's Ridge, 695-705, in what turned out to be a dual match of sorts for the state championship. Middletown and Marriotts Ridge were the two teams left to compete in 2A-1A after three other teams were eliminated in the semifinals.

The Hawks, meanwhile, put the exclamation point on their perfect 15-0 season with a 652-660 win over Churchill for its first state 4A-3A championship in golf.

Looking for a bit of vindication, Hoffman dominated the field in the individual competition. The Memphis-bound senior shot a 1-under par 72 and finished his high school career with an even-par 146.

"I didn't want to feel like a bust after winning my sophomore year," he said.

Hoffman captured his first state individual championship two years ago in a playoff at University of Maryland's golf course in College Park. He was hampered by back problems at last year's tournament and couldn't repeat.

But on Wednesday, Hoffman became just the sixth boys player since 1971 to win two championships in his career. He joined a group that already includes his close friend Josh Eure, who completed the double in 2006 and 2008 with South River and has helped guide Hoffman as he's made important decisions regarding junior events and college.

"I wanted to follow in his footsteps," said Hoffman, adding that he heard from Eure after the tournament on a cell phone that was overloaded with congratulatory voice-mails and text messages.

His season, however, didn't include a seamless run to the title. Hoffman was second at counties, then had to contend with a bent putter in districts, but played well enough to qualify.

With repaired putter in hand, Hoffman went to work on winning his state championship with authority.

"He was pretty prepared for this year," Middletown 's first-year coach Jason Aud said. "He was a man on a mission."

Hoffman finished five shots ahead of runner-up, Bart George, of Broadneck, who shot a 151 for two rounds. Hoffman was 1-under-par at the turn. His better golf Wednesday was ahead of him on the back nine.

Once he got going, "I just couldn't let go," Hoffman said. "I don't know. I guess it was just stamina or something. I wanted to finish strong."

Hoffman putted well the entire round, including an excellent effort on the 226-yard, par-four 10th hole. It started ominously, as Hoffman's drive found the rough. He overcompensated on his ensuing chip, leaving him 30 feet from the hole.

Hoffman found himself in a key moment. He hadn't yet gained a safe distance from the competition and anything worse than par could have spelled trouble.

His difficult uphill putt was perfect, and Hoffman let out a roar.

"At that point, it meant something," he said. "I would say, definitely, yeah, that was one of the longer putts I made this year."

His putter was one of his most reliable tools Wednesday.

"I didn't miss very many putts," he said. "It wasn't just me, though. The whole team worked hard today and played well."

When Aud took over at Middletown this fall, he was completely new to the program. He had never even seen any of his golfers play, but athletic director Tim Ambrose briefed him: "By the way," he told Aud, "you have a pretty good guy on your team. He won states two years ago."

Hoffman set the pace Wednesday, followed by teammates Jimmie Blumenauer (180), Garrett Nicely (183) and Chase Main (186).

"I'm speechless," Aud said after his team grabbed the trophy. "There were a lot of competitive golfers out there today. It's something that will stay with the team forever."

Chris DiScuillo, Urbana 's top individual golfer at 157, said he was still in shock at the Hawks' championship.

"Probably, sometime tomorrow, all of this will sink in," he said. "As far as my game, my hitting and chipping was good. I didn't putt very well, though."

Max Dallinger carded a 167 for both days for Urbana . Kyler Rose shot a 172 and James Jaworski shot a 166 for the Hawks.

The last time Urbana was in the hunt for a state golf championship was in 1999, when the Hawks lost to Walkersville in the state 2A-1A championship.

The Hawks' record includes the Frederick County Public Schools and District I titles. Urbana also finished as the top team in MVAL-Piedmont competition.

NOTES: Linganore 's Ryan Cole's bid for an individual state championship in his freshman year fell short. Cole finished his 36 holes of play with a two-round score of 154, eight shots off the pace. ...In the girls competition, Urbana 's Erin Gibbons shot a 178. ... After Wednesday, Frederick County has won six state team championships in golf since 1973, when Frederick won the first state team crown. Walkersville and Middletown each have won two team titles.