Soyez, Trojans dominate 3A regional golf competition
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Even after a domination Friday at the MCAA league golf meet at Hesston by the Wichita Collegiate Spartans, you wouldn't have found Trojan coach Scott O'Hare disgusted.
He knows the Spartans are the reigning 3A state champions and there's a good shot they'll have a chance at repeating Monday in Cheney at the state tournament.
Collegiate won the league title by a commanding 22 strokes ahead of the runner-up Trojans' 314.
O'Hare surely couldn't have been discouraged Monday at Hillsboro's regional tournament as the hosting Trojans cruised to a title behind Elliot Soyez's meet-best 73.
Soyez had a bogey on the ninth hole of the first round, which left him a stroke over par with a 36. He then birdied on the 15th hole, despite opening the second round with three straight bogies.
Justin Kent suffered through a rough four-hole stretch Friday, but he cured the putting struggle, taking second Monday, two strokes behind Soyez for second.
Taking away the league meet, a heated race has been building the past several meets between Hillsboro and its neighbor to the east, Marion. It may finally be settled once and for all on Monday with both teams advancing to Cheney.
The two again dominated the competition Monday with Marion a comfortable 49 strokes under third-place Burlington.
Jake Bredemeier of Marion placed third, and Hillsboro freshman Daniel Kunantaev shot a fourth-place 78 to close out the Trojans' top finishers. Kunantaev was able to bounce back after a tough finish in Hesston where Kent edged him on a playoff hole to miss medaling for the first time this year. Kent was ninth with an identical 76.
Darren Enns' 90 for 12th completed the Trojans' 316 scoring output. Enns had a tough outing Friday, but Zach Magnuson stepped in to give the Trojans a much-needed boost.
Results:
area state qualifiers
Hillsboro, 316. Elliot Soyez, 73; Justin Kent, 75; Daniel Kunantaev, 78; Darren Ens, 90; Zach Magnuson, 99; Daniel Dick, 102.
Marion, 323: Jake Bredemeier, 76; Travis Hett, 81; Keith Jones, 81; Luke Gordon, 85; Chase Carlson, 91; Lindsay Hett, 124.
