OSAWATOMIE — Four years in a row. Iola High’s golf team, all seniors, have this down pat. The team punched its ticket to the Class 4A Golf Tournament on Monday afternoon.
“This group, what can you really say about them and getting to state four straight years,” coach Doug Kerr said. “What a great accomplishment and they should be proud of that. I know they are not happy with not winning the regional, but it’s all about just getting there.”
Ottawa was able to get the best of Iola for first place overall at the Class 4A Regional. It was the first time all season that Iola came second to any team. Up until Monday, the team was 8-0 overall.
“I think we challenged ourselves each week to find something new and to get better at,” Kerr said. “We improved after every meet. Last week at Anderson County, we shot a 297 — the lowest since I’ve been here. I was proud of them for that and they really worked hard each week for this match. I just think Ottawa handled the elements a little bit better than we did.”
All day long, every golfer came in over his normal scores. Kaden Macha shot a 79 and took second individually. Adam Peterson shot an 82 for sixth. Drake Dieker followed in seventh with an 83. Shane Walden took ninth with an 84. Matt Jacobs shot an 85 for 12th.
“Last year, we beat [Ottawa] by five or six at Emporia [in the regional] and they beat us for third place at state,” Kerr said. “The kids are already excited. They’ve already got a goal in mind.”
Ottawa won on Monday with a team score of 324. Iola followed by four strokes.
At the state tournament last season, Iola shot a 334 and took fourth place. Ottawa shot a 333. That one stroke was the difference.
Iola’s rivalry with Ottawa lasted all year long, usually with Iola ending up on top.
“All year long we have been four or five strokes from them in every tournament,” Kerr said. “We got them in Anderson County and here last time, but they got us today. It’s about focus when you get to this round because it’s survive and advance. The regional rankings don’t help you at the state meet, other than getting there as a team.”
Although Iola didn’t win on Monday, their second-place finished guaranteed them a spot at state as a team. Kerr said that was their goal this season — their senior season. They all will get a mulligan at the state tournament next week.
“I think it’s a tribute to our kids’ work ethic to not have a good day, but fight through it and get to state,” Kerr said. “There were a couple of times that we could have laid down and let it all go. I’m really proud of them and what they’ve accomplished.”
Iola travels to McPherson next Tuesday for the Class 4A State Tournament.
Iola golf team clinches fourth-straight state tourney berth
