BHS battles to state berth

Beatrice’s Orangemen showed an ability to battle through when the going got tough Monday at the B-1 District golf tournament at the Beatrice Country Club.

Sitting in fifth place after the first nine holes, two spots out of a state-qualifying berth, the Orangemen rallied on the second nine to claim third place and a place in the Class B State tournament.

“Our No. 1 goal was to find a way to get to the state tournament, so we can get some experience and see what that’s all about,” Beatrice coach Dick Stuart said.

Nebraska City won the district team title with a 349, while Gretna was second at 356.

Beatrice finished third with a 361, six strokes ahead of fourth-place Syracuse at 367.

Stuart said it came down to a battle for the final state-qualifying spot between Beatrice and Syracuse.

“Syracuse had two individuals that played real well and gave them a chance,” Stuart said.

Beatrice’s “team” play, however made the difference.

“We don’t have a star,” Stuart said. “We just try to get four guys to shoot decent scores and see where we finish.”

Stuart said the Beatrice Country Club’s front nine, holes one through nine, weren’t very kind to the Orangemen.

“Our front nine didn’t look real good, but on the back nine we just buckled down and got after it,” Stuart said.

Stuart said the Orangemen were in fifth place by three strokes after the first nine holes of play.

Although with battling the competition, Stuart said the Orangemen also had to overcome conditions and their own youthfulness.

Conditions, with strong wind through out the day, weren’t ideal, Stuart said.

A young team overall, Stuart said Monday was the first time three of Beatrice’s five players had competed in a district tournament.

“We could have got down after nine and given up, but we didn’t’ give up,” Stuart said. “We kept fighting.”

Beatrice junior Jacob Sorensen was the only medal winner for the Orangemen, finishing fifth overall with an 87.

Sorensen was also the most consistent golfer for Beatrice, carding a 43 on the front nine and a 44 on the back.

“Jacob gave us a chance on the front nine, shooting a 43,” Stuart said. “It gave us hope.”

Sophomores Colin Hays and Caleb Harms both carded 91s.

Hays made the most improvement from one nine to the next for the Orangemen. He had a 50 on the front and a 41 on the back, a difference of nine strokes.

Harms also improved from the front to the back, carding a 49 for the first nine holes and a 42 on the final nine.

“Colin and Caleb both played really solid on the back nine,” Stuart said.

Sophomore Hunter Kendall finished with a 92. Playing the back nine first Monday, Hunter Kendall had a 45 and he came back with a 47 on the front nine.

Stuart said Hunter Kendall’s 45 to open the tournament was a plus for the Orangemen.

Also playing for Beatrice, senior Dylan Kendall fired a 95. Like his brother, Dylan Kendall played the back nine first and had a 46, which he followed up with a 49 on the front nine.

“Dylan is hitting the ball well and we expect him to play well next week,” Stuart said.

Playing at state will be a good experience for the young Orangemen, Stuart said.

“We wanted to get to the state tournament so our four young guys can see what it’s like and, hopefully, build on that experience so that next year we can find a way to get through districts again and have another chance.”

The Class B State tournament will be held May 20-21 at Pioneers Golf Course in Lincoln.

During the next week, Stuart said the Orangemen will continue to work on their “short game.”

Firth Norris finished seventh overall in the final district team standings with a 398.

Playing for the Titans were Ethan Heusinvelt and Nash Roehr with 95s, Austin Speidel with a 97 and Brandon Wedding and Jake Hartwig with 111s.