The Emporia High boys golf team poses with the runner-up trophy after finishing second at the State Tournament in McPherson on Monday. The team members are, from left: Zach Young, Craig Morgan, Fletcher Harder, Matt McAnarney, Bren Fisher, Eric Reimer and coach Rick Eckert. It is the second straight year the Spartans have finished second at State.
Second verse, almost exactly the same as the first.
For the second straight year, the Emporia High boys golf team finished as the runner-up at the State Tournament on Monday, and also for the second straight year, the Spartans finished just a few strokes behind the champion, St. Thomas Aquinas.
Emporia High finished with a total score of 303 at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson, putting the Spartans just five strokes back of the Saints, who carded a team score of 298.
Last season at Auburn Hills in Wichita, EHS finished two strokes behind St. Thomas Aquinas.
“We obviously wanted that State title, but it feels pretty good to know that we finished second in the state two years in a row,” senior Bren Fisher said. “We were a little disappointed we didn’t come away with the championship, but I think when we look back on this, we’ll be proud of ourselves; it’s a pretty good accomplishment.”
The Spartans’ effort was led by Fisher, who carded a 2-over par 72 to finish second individually.
Courtesy Photo Emporia High’s Bren Fisher follows through on a tee shot during the Class 5A State Tournament at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson on Monday. Fisher finished second individually to lead the EHS boys golf team to a second-place finish.
After getting off to what he called “a decent start,” Fisher chipped in for birdie on the 10th hole to move to under par for his round.
“I thought at that point that I might have a chance at the individual title,” Fisher said.
But a couple of bogeys on the backstretch and an errant shot into the water on the 16th hole dropped Fisher down the leaderboard, though he capped his round with a birdie on the 18th to force a playoff for second place, and he defeated Arkansas City’s Mike Osterthun in that playoff to claim the silver medal.
Aquinas’ Joe Winslow shot the only under-par round to win the individual title with a 2-under 68.
Two other Emporia High golfers placed in the top 20. Senior Fletcher Harder finished ninth with a 5-over 75, and senior Eric Reimer finished in a tie for 13th with a 6-over 76.
Zach Young rounded out Emporia’s team score after he carded an 80. Matt McAnarney finished with an 83 and Craig Morgan finished with a 95.
Class 5A State Tournament
At Turkey Creek G.C., McPherson, par 70
Team scores
St. Thomas Aquinas 298, Emporia 303, Hutchinson 310, McPherson 314, Shawnee Heights 317, Kapaun Mt. Carmel 320, Winfield 324, Bishop Miege 326, Pittsburg 333, Bishop Carroll 335, Salina South 344, Seaman 346.
Top 20 medalists
1. Joe Winslow, STA, 68; 2. Bren Fisher, Emp, 72; 3. Mike Osterthun, AC, 72; 4. David Auer, KMC, 73; 5. Cody Christie, BM, 74; 6. Jon Nichols, Pitt, 74; 7. T.J. Holgerson, McP, 74; 8. Treg Fawl, McP, 74; 9. Fletcher Harder, Emp, 75; 10. Evan Holcomb, Hutch, 75; 11T. Thane Ringler, Hutch, 75; 11T. Brian Bergman, STA, 75; 13T. Eric Reimer, Emp, 76; 13T. Steven Jablonowski, SH, 76; 15T. Christian Bechard, TW, 77; 15T. Jimmy Clifford, STA, 77; 17T. Daniel Trout, STA, 78; 17T. Sam Sawyer, Win, 78; 17T. A.J. Frederes, STA, 78; 17T. Wilson Long, Win, 78. Other EHS finishers — Zach Young 80, Matt McAnarney 83, Craig Morgan 95.
Comments
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)