SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
Day 1 of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) boys golf state championships are in the books on a cool, damp and windy day at six different sites.
Hutchinson Central Christian holds a narrow lead after the opening round of the Class 1A boys golf state championship at Mariah Hills Golf Course, positioning itself for a run at the program’s second state title.
The Cougars posted a team score of 318 on Tuesday, two shots ahead of Elkhart (320) and five clear of third-place South Gray (323) heading into Wednesday’s final round.
Senior Ryland Kooiman paced Central Christian with a 2-over-par 73, placing him fifth individually. His younger brother, sophomore Cael Kooiman, is eighth after carding a 77. Senior Nathan Reed shot 82 to tie for 11th, while sophomore Tyler Reed added an 86 to round out the team scoring.
Sophomore Tarren Scripsick (116) and senior Brody Froese (118) also competed for Central Christian.
In Class 2A, Hutchinson-Trinity Catholic sits in seventh place held Tuesday at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson.
The Celtics carded a team score of 340, paced by sophomore Miles Blaylock, who fired an 81 to tie for 22nd overall. Sophomore Tyler Casebolt followed closely with an 82, while senior Lincoln Barnes added an 84.
Syracuse leads the team standings after a strong collective effort, posting a 301 behind four golfers in the top 10. Salina Sacred Heart sits in second with a 311, and Hoxie is third at 322.
In Class 3A, Hesston senior Grant Waterson fired a 1-under-par 71 to sit in second place after Tuesday’s opening round at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course.
Waterson trails Wichita-Collegiate freshman Landon Langston, who leads the field with an even-par 70 heading into Wednesday’s final round.
Hesston sophomore Austin Penner posted an 82 and sits in a tie for 28th. The Swathers did not field a full team, but Waterson remains in strong contention for the individual state title.
Kingman senior Kory Meireis also delivered a solid round, carding a 78 to finish in a tie for 16th. Halstead did not have any golfers finish inside the top 40 after the first round.
In the team race, Wichita-Collegiate leads narrowly with a 315, just one stroke ahead of Wichita-Trinity Academy (316). Sabetha (326) and Marysville (330) round out the top four.
In Class 4A, Buhler senior Drew DeMeyer fired an even-par 72 to finish the opening round tied for fifth at the Class 4A boys state golf championship, held Tuesday at Sand Creek Station Golf Course.
DeMeyer’s round helped the Crusaders to a team total of 332, placing them sixth in the standings heading into Wednesday’s final round. Sophomore Zach Chance added a 76 (T14), while Nick Chance shot 80 (T24) to bolster Buhler’s team effort.
Pratt was led by senior Grant McAtee, who carded a 74 and sits in a tie for ninth place individually. Freshman Beau Ferrell added an 81 (T24) for the Greenbacks, who are currently tied for ninth in the team standings with Fort Scott at 344.
Wamego sits atop the leaderboard with a 309, followed by Topeka-Hayden (316), Bishop Miege (323), and Andale (325). Wamego also placed three golfers in the top five individually, led by Regan Kueker (2nd), Breckin Miller (4th), and Kaden Tyner (T5).
In Class 5A, Hutchinson saw it's two golfers not place. Senior Mitchell Rice shot a 12-over-par 83 and senior Alex Haas finished 20-over-par 91.
Below are the full results from all of the Hutch Post-area golfers after Day 1.