BELLEFONTE — Kentucky golfers Justin Thomas and Nikki Koller went wire to wire for championships in the 25th annual Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior.

Thomas, a 15-year-old from Goshen, put an exclamation mark on his first American Junior Golf Association title with a back-nine blitz despite windy conditions and hard greens Friday at Bellefonte Country Club.

He started the back side with two birdies, then ended his round with two more. After rolling in a putt on No. 18, Thomas did a little fist pump and then hugged his parents on the green.

“Of all the places, as soon as I got here three years ago, I thought this would be the place where I got my first (AJGA) win,’’ Thomas said. “It’s awesome. To get it here is even better.’’

After a slow start in the final round, Thomas heated up for an even-par 70 and 206 total. He finished seven shot ahead of Patrick Rodgers and Blanton Farmer.

“I just didn’t want to shoot over par today,’’ Thomas said. “Thankfully, I was able to play my game and it came together at the end.’’

Third here a year ago, Thomas took a five-shot margin into the final round Friday and kept an aggressive approach. He made a 15-foot putt to save par on No. 9 and build some momentum.

“That got my day going,’’ said Thomas, who said he plans to defend his title next year.

Rodgers, from Avon, Ind., shot a 4-under par 66 and Lexington’s Farmer finished with a 68 to share the runner-up spot.

In the girls division, Koller struggled to an 81 but still managed a five-shot win over Stani Schiavone of Bangor, Pa.

“What I did today was not like the first two rounds at all,’’ said Koller, who shot 73 and 70 in building a seven-stroke cushion. “It was a focus thing, I couldn’t focus at all.’’

Koller, an Arizona University signee from Lewisburg, Ky., said she began wondering on the back nine if her lead would hold up. Her final nine holes included six bogeys and a double bogey.

“The course played tough, but that’s no excuse,’’ she said after settling for a 224 total.

Despite the rough finish, Koller was pleased with the victory.

“I’ve never won a real AJGA before,’’ she said. “The only other was a Nike Junior All-Star in the Under-16 division. I’m disappointed in how I played today, but really excited I won.’’

Schiavone was next at 229, followed by Kyung Kim of Chandler, Ariz., and Emma Talley of Princeton, Ky.

Talley also received the annual Cameron Weis Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

Overall, several area players finished with solid showings.

Jared Flanery of Sandy Hook shot 73 in the final round for a 223 — good for a 20th-place tie among 89 players in the boys division. A birdie on the difficult par-3 No. 15 hole gave Flanery a boost.

“I’m happy with how I played this week,’’ said Flanery, 16. “It feels good to finish strong in a real high-quality event like this one.’’

Ironton’s Nathan Kerns was a stroke behind Flanery at 224 to tie for 24th. He closed with a 73.

“I’m pretty satisfied,’’ Kerns said. “I’m a little disappointed over the 80 (second round), but overall I thought I had a good tournament. It’s nice to be successful around home.’’

Kerns, 17, has three more AJGA events coming up and next Tuesday will play in a U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier near Columbus.

Ashland’s Stephen Limpach, like Flannery, made it into the main tournament through the qualifier. Limpach went on to tie for 65th with a 234.

“I played really solid except for two bad holes each day,’’ Limpach said. “I couldn’t be happier I played in it. I’m glad everybody showed me support.’’

Limpach’s buddy and former Ashland teammate Gray Hunter, now a Centre College golfer , watched him play all three rounds. Limpach will attend Coastal Carolina this fall and major in professional golf management.

Recipients of the new Robert E. Yancey Scholarships included Flanery, Limpach, Greenup’s Dagan Abdon, Russell grad Kaci Boyd, J.P. Newsome, Justin Lawler and Morgan Dobbins.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-23671.