Unruh finishes 10th

The Hillsboro High School golf season got underway this week with the Trojans competing Tuesday at Herington and Friday at Hillsboro.

Trojan coach Scott O’Hare expected 2019 to be a rebuilding year because senior Avery Unruh is Hillsboro’s lone upperclassman.

Unruh didn’t disappoint Tuesday, finishing 10th out of 33 golfers at Herington with a score of 104.

Hillsboro finished fifth out of six schools, shooting a 493, 96 strokes behind winner Berean Academy.

Burrton’s Cooper Zehr was the meet champion, shooting an 87, one stroke under Halstead runner-up Brian Weber.

“Herington was an eye opening experience,” O’Hare said. “With Avery being our only returning varsity team member, four of them were playing in their first 18-hole varsity tournament.”

Eli Dalke was 24th with a 127 and Zach Dittert was two strokes behind for 25th.

Rylie Daniels was 27th, shooting a 133, and Frank Wichert was 30th with 138.

“Due to their limited golf experience, along with the stress and anxiety that comes with playing in a competitive setting, I’m not entirely surprised by their relatively high scores,” O’Hare said. “However, I do believe all of them have the potential to improve on these scores tremendously.”

Hillsboro was shorthanded three days later during its first home meet, leaving only Daniels and Dittert competing for the Trojans.

O’Hare’s prediction came true, with Dittert cutting Tuesday’s score down four strokes, and Daniels an impressive 13.

Daniels finished 28th out of 39 with 120 and Dittert was four spots behind and with a 125.

“We have a long way to go for this team to get to a competitive level, but I have been very pleased with their efforts and attitudes in working toward that goal,” O’Hare said.

The Trojans travel to the Salina Municipal Golf Course Thursday for ameet with defending state champion Sacred Heart.