The boys’ golf team played in their 13th straight MSHSAA state championship Monday and Tuesday against familiar foes Rockhurst High School and Chaminade High School. After a rough first day, the Bruins turned it around on Tuesday with all but one player improving their score.
However, it was not enough as the team finished in fourth with Rockhurst taking home the title.
Coach Austin Reed believes the championship was anyones to take as they had previously beaten every team that finished in front of them. Even with the rough start, Reed says that he was very happy with his team’s play but in the end it just wasn’t as good as the competition’s.
“Obviously we wanted to win the whole thing, but honestly I was still extremely proud of our team’s output,” Reed said. “Going in we all knew that we could beat a Rockhurst or a Chaminade, but they just played so well on that first day when we didn’t that there was little we could do. Nonetheless, our guys did a great job coming back on the second day.”
Sophomore Ross Steelman thought his personal game started out rather poorly but was very proud of himself and his teammates ability to rebound when mattered.
“I played decently, but I think we were all pretty disappointed with our play Monday,” Steelman said. “We all talked and just said we didn’t want to end our season like that and came out really strong on Tuesday which was great.”
Steelman and junior Hudson Dubinski tied for fifth individually in state, which Reed says is very reassuring considering both will be back next season.
“I think we all know that we have what it takes to continue our success and finish first in the state,” Reed said. “Moving forward I just want to keep pushing them to get better this summer without losing their love for the game. If we keep going in the direction we’re going I think we’ll have a lot of success in the future.”