South O’Brien took on the Gehlen Catholic golfers April 15 in a War Eagle Conference dual at Willow Creek Golf Club in Le Mars. The Wolverine boys lost to the Jays 161-190, but South O’Brien’s girls were winners 207-211.
“I’m proud of the way the boys battled as they faced tough competition and adversity tonight,” commented Wolverine coach Kris Faust. Gehlen won the match decisively and took all four medals. The Wolverines had three golfers tie at 47. After a handicap hole card playoff, sophomore Nathan Harms, who shot a personal best, took fifth place. Junior Alex Griebel took sixth and senior Ryan Fuller took seventh. Jace Kleinwolterink shot a 49 to round out the Wolverine varsity cards. “We had four players in the 40s tonight for the first time this season,” noted Faust. “However, our team score stayed right at our season average of 190. We need to continue to trend downward to be competitive in the WEC. With two guys shooting in the 30s and two in the low 40s, Gehlen is going to be tough for anyone to beat this season.”
Team Scores: Gehlen Catholic 161, South O’Brien 190.
(Meet honors all from GC) Medalist: Dylan Lubben 37, Runner up: Carson Arens 38, 3rd: Mason Puetz 42, 4th: Carter Beitelspacher 44.
SO’ Varsity Scores: Nathan Harms, 47, 5th; Alex Griebel, 47, 6th; Ryan Fuller, 47, 7th; Jace Kleinwolterink, 49, 10th; Hunter Lange, 55, 11th; Reese Lundquist, 62, 12th.
The South O’Brien girls edged out Gehlen Catholic by just four strokes and took three of the four medals. The Wolverines are now 3-0 on the season. Junior Lindsey Einck tied Gehlen’s Rysaiah Sitzmann with a 48. Einck took first after a handicap hole card playoff. Freshmen Cassidy Horstmann and Alli Griebel both shot 50. Horstmann took third and Griebel fourth after a handicap hole card playoff. Freshman Anna Griebel shot a 59, freshman Addi Oddenbrett carded a 60 and freshman Addi Triplett shot a 69. “We struggled tonight and played 10 strokes worse than our first meet of the season,” said their coach. “The black course at Le Mars is tough, and our inexperience on an unfamiliar course added to the struggles. However, I am proud of the girls for finding a way to win and take home three medals.”
Team Scores: South O’Brien 207, Gehlen Catholic 211.
Medalist: Lindsey Einck (SO’) 48 (won card playoff), Runner-up: Rysaiah Sitzmann (GC) 48, 3rd: Cassidy Horstmann (SO’) 50 (won card playoff); 4th: Alli Griebel (SO’) 50.
Other SO’ scores: Anna Griebel, 59, 8th; Addi Odenbrett, 60, 9th; Addi Triplett, 69, 11th.