Hartington-Newcastle golfers earn trip to State
NIOBRARA — The Hartington-Newcastle Wildcat golf team turned in one of its best outings of the year at the right time Monday.
The Wildcat golfers carded a 387 to earn District D3 runner-up honors and advance to next week’s State Golf Meet.
HNS tied for second as a team with Randolph but won a playoff on the first extra hole.
Reece Morten led the team with a 92 and a seventh-place finish.
“It was an amazing day. You have to give these kids so much credit,” Coach Ken Kneifl said. “As we’ve mentioned before this is an extremely inexperienced team with only Reece Morten having any type of high school golf experience. Two of the five golfers had not really played golf before this year. Not a senior in the group and today they grinded, they hung in there and they found a way. All of our young kids had to grow up in a hurry and we are far from a finished project.”
Kneifl said a lot of people have helped the team have success this season.
“So many deserve appreciation for the role they’ve played in this beginning with Coach Mike Johnson. I enjoy coaching with him so much as he not only has tremendous golf knowledge he relates to the kids so well,” he said. “Between the kids and Coach Johnson this is a fun team to be a part of. The support our parents give our kids is amazing. They come to the meets and they simply support the kids and the program in any way they can. They’re a fun group also which adds to the experience. I’d also like to thank our administration, faculty, and staff. Golf season can be a challenge academically as the kids probably miss class once a week for golf. All the work they do for the kids is truly appreciated.
Kneifl said he was happy Cedar Catholic won its District.
“Coach Johnson and I and our team want to congratulate Cedar Catholic and wish them the best at State. We enjoy working side-by-side with them each day.
This year’s Class D State Meet will be held at Lake Maloney Golf Club at North Platte. The first 18 holes will get
The first 18 holes will get underway at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 25. The final 18 will be played Wednesday, May 26.
HNS Scores
7. Reece Morten, 92; 9. Dendinger, 93; 15. Dayton Sudbeck, 97; 35. Carson Jones, 105; 45. Riley Sudbeck, 119.
Boys Team Standings
1. Creighton, 359; 2. Hartington-Newcastle, 387; 3. Randolph, 387; 4. Plainview, 388; 5. Neligh-Oakdale, 389; 6. Stuart, 409; 7. Niobrara/Verdigre, 419; 8. Wausa, 426; 9. Boyd County, 443; 10. Homer, 443; Bloomfield, 508 Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, NTS; Osmond, NTS.
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