Gaels head to state golf meet
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NEWTON -- The St. Edmond boys golf team earned a little redemption by qualifying for the Class 1A state tournament last week.
Now, they have their sights set on a high finish.
The Gaels begin play here on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Westwood Golf Course. Second round action starts Friday at 9 a.m.
Joining St. Edmond in the field will be Newell-Fonda, AGWSR, East Buchanan, Fremont-Mills, Mason City Newman, North Cedar and Council Bluffs St. Albert.
After qualifying for state three years ago and playing on this very same course, the Gaels missed out on reaching the elite round two seasons ago. The 2020 golf campaign was canceled due to COVID-19.
"We're very excited," SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. "The seniors have been out of school and playing a lot of golf to get ready. Those that were on the team remember this course from three years ago.
"Hopefully, as their swing has adjusted, so to has their golf game."
Seniors Drew Schaeffer, Peyton Scott, Devon Wirtz and Ben Anderson are joined by sophomores Caleb Schaeffer and Riley Travis.
St. Edmond advanced by winning both sectional and district titles. They have a season-low round of 324 for 18 holes and are averaging a 343.5 on the year, which ranks third in 1A behind Harris-Lake Park and East Buchanan.
"There seems to be six or seven teams that could win; I don't think there is any clear-cut favorite," Dillon said. "It's going to be very important to come out and have a good round Thursday and set the tone."
Scott has posted the lowest round of the year at 74 for 18 holes with an 85 average. Drew Schaeffer sits at 75 for his low round with a 79 average while Caleb Schaeffer and Wirtz each have posted 82s.
"We have had a lot of good rounds this year, but we haven't really had everybody on the same page," Dillon said. "We've got a lot of guys that have been through the wars in many sports and there is no number you can put on how important it is having that experience."
Travis comes in having shot a low-18 of 85 and Anderson 90 for the Gaels.
Newell-Fonda qualified from the same district as St. Edmond. They enter state having shot a low round of 332 for 18 holes with a 347.5 average.
Hogan Henrich leads the way, as the senior is averaging a 76 on the season with a low of 74. Izak Baron sits at 87.5 with a low of 79 and Mason Dicks at 89.