The Chanticleer golf team fired a 346 at Indianhead Golf Club and came away with a third-place finish and a chance to play at the state meet. Doniphan-Trumbull and GICC topped the Chants with totals of 336 and 340, a tight race. Three teams qualify for the state meet in each district.
Coach Mike Bechtold said it was not unexpected but not expected, either.
“Our team had finished in the top three at every meet but one this year, so we felt we were in a position to qualify, however, you never know what can happen and there were several quality teams at our district that we had to beat on that day.”
The Chants set the tone early shooting a great front nine to put themselves in 2nd at the turn. They hung on despite some hurdles on the back.
Bechtold said the team showed mental toughness to get through the day.
“When things aren’t easy and not going your way, it is easy to give up or quit,” Bechtold said, “but the boys really showed a lot of mettle.”
Kelen Meyer and Rowe Lilienthal each qualified individually for the Chants. Meyer fired a 78 for 4th medal and Lilienthal shot 83 for 9th. Players can qualify individually or as a team. Meyer and Lilienthal did both.
“Kelen has been steady all season and simply had to play his normal game to qualify,” Bechtold said, “and he did that well.”
Bechtold was pleasantly surprised by Lilienthal’s performance.
“Rowe had greatly improved throughout the year, and had just made varsity,” Bechtold said, “So it was only his second varsity meet. To perform so well under such heavy pressure was amazing and a big boon for our team.”
Brodie Darnell shot 88 for the Chants, just missing medal contention. Trey Warner shot 97 and Cade Geiser 98.
Bechtold said Warner made strides.
“Trey shot 55 on the front and 43 on the back,” Bechtold said, “His improvement was very helpful to the team and an indication of where his game can go.”
The Chants will play at Kearney Country Club on Tuesday and Wednesday the 25th and 26th for the state title.
Bechtold said he is proud of the effort of the team this year.
“We were not a shoe-in by any means and it took some hard work and mental toughness to reach our goal, so it is very satisfying.”
| 2021 DISTRICT C-4 BOYS GOLF RESULTS: Indianhead Golf Course May 18, 2021 |
| Individual Qualifiers: 1. Ethan Smith (11), Doniphan-Trumbull, 68 2. William Goering (12), Grand Island Central Catholic, 75 3. Rodney McDonald (12), Sandy Creek, 77 4. Kelen Meyer (12), Ord, 78 5. Tanner Heckenlively (12), Alma, 79 6. Andrew Stock (11), Doniphan-Trumbull, 80 7. Samuel Wells (9), St. Paul, 81 8. Grant McQuay (11), Alma, 82 9. Rowe Lilienthal (9), Ord, 83 10. Bowdie Fox (10), Grand Island Central Catholic, 83
Qualifying Teams: Doniphan-Trumbull, 336 Coach: Chris Seberger Ethan Smith (11), 68 Andrew Stock (11), 80 Hayden Dzingle (9), 90 Collin Jepson (10), 98 Camdyn Beirow (10), 100
Grand Island Central Catholic, 340 Coach: Craig Rupp William Goering (12), 75 Bowdie Fox (10), 83 Jackson Henry (11), 85 Joseph Koralewski (11), 97 Jonathan Schardt (11), 98
Ord, 346 Coach: Mike Bechtold Kelen Meyer (12), 78 Rowe Lilienthal (9), 83 Brodie Darnell (12), 88 Trey Warner (11), 97 Cade Geiser (11), 98
Individual Qualifiers: Sandy Creek Coach: Jared Blackwell Rodney McDonald (12), 77
Alma Coach: Mike Brummer Tanner Heckenlively (12), 79
St. Paul Coach: Rick Peters Samuel Wells (9), 81
Alma Coach: Mike Brummer Grant McQuay (11), 82
Final Team Scores: Doniphan-Trumbull, 336 Grand Island Central Catholic, 340 Ord, 346 Sandy Creek, 351 Kearney Catholic, 360 Amherst, 371 Arcadia/Loup City, 375 Alma, 382 Gibbon, 390 Wood River, 400 Centura, 406 Ravenna, 413 St. Paul, 418 Superior, 445 Central City, 453 |