Star-Journbal Editor
Hillsboro golfers had their hands full Friday at the Wichita Collegiate Invitational.
But competing against some of the best golfers in the area on the unforgiving course at Hidden Lakes Country Club didn't seem to faze Trojan freshman Daniel Kunantaev.
For the Trojans, his fifth-place overall finish was the highlight of the day.
"Traditionally, this is one of the most competitive tournaments we play in all season," said coach Scott O'Hare. "It's typically one of the only tournaments we attend that a score under 80 is no guarantee for a top-10 individual finish."
Kunantaev's sizzling 75 was not only good enough to break into the top 10, he finished just three shots behind the winner. It was his second hot round in two days. He'd shot a 76 Thursday to win the Hesston JV tournament.
In varsity play in Wichita on Friday, Hillsboro's Elliott Soyez tied for 14th with a 78. Justin Kent shot an 86, followed by Darren Enns 89, to help secure an eighth-place overall finish for the team.
"I was very proud of Darren," O'Hare said. "He has been on the bubble of breaking 90 the past two seasons. I'm hoping this will be a big confidence boost for him. If he can continue to improve and get some consistency in shooting in the 80s, we could be very strong in the last part of the season."
The Trojans tee-off next at 9 a.m. Friday at the Sacred Heart Invitational at the Salina Municipal Golf Course.
