Walls and Riley advance to state as individuals; West leads Bronco girls
BIWABIK, Minn. — As the scores were rolling in Tuesday at The Quarry at Giants Ridge, International Falls couldn’t help but think of last year’s Section 7AA tournament when they let a one-shot lead turn into a 35-shot deficit.
The two-day discrepancy last year — 317 to 340 — wasn’t as bad this year — 316 to 329 — but it still led to a disappointing runner-up finish with a 645. Last year they dropped to third place.
Hermantown, who entered Tuesday’s action tied with the Broncos at 316, shot a 320 to claim the Section 7AA championship for the second year in a row. Virginia finished third at 649 (323-326) and Eveleth-Gilbert was a distant fourth at 718 (350-368).
The Broncos, who came into section play with the lowest average score in Minnesota in Class 2A, were left thinking what might have been.
“Same predicament as last year. We just couldn’t finish,” said sophomore Glenn Walls, who finished with a Bronco-low 155 (75-80) over the two days. Teammate and fellow sophomore Derek Riley carded a 160 (77-83) and will join Walls as an individual qualifier for the state championships at the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan, Minn. The duo will compete June 3-4.
“I’m excited to be going, but definitely wanted the team,” Walls said.
In wet conditions — a steady drizzle came down for all but an hour of the meet — the scores increased and frustrations mounted, but the Falls just left too many shots on the course. The Broncos came in with six golfers who could finish in the 70s, and none of them accomplished that Tuesday. The top four scores were Walls (80), senior Travis Blais (81), Riley (83) and sophomore Jeff Shermoen (85). Freshman Brett Musich shot an 87 and senior Justin Mayer carded an 88.
“Everybody was over their average,” said Broncos head coach Bill Mason, who hasn’t had a team qualify for state in his 14 years. “Tough conditions. That misty rain for about four hours made it difficult, but it was the same for everybody.”
Hermantown’s Alex Kolquist won the section with a scorching total of 144 (70-74), which was eight shots better than runner-up Dan Bidle of Virginia, who had a 152 (71-81). Duluth Marshall’s Joe Kozlak finished third at 153 (79-74), and was one of only three players to break 80 in Tuesday’s conditions. The third, Virginia’s Olaf Walkky, defeated Eveleth-Gilbert’s Anton Skerjance in a playoff to claim the last individual spot for state. The two tied at 163.
Broncos senior Travis Blais, who shared section championship honors last season with Kolquist, narrowly missed out on state with a 166. His 85 on Thursday pushed his score too high. However, he did earn All-State honors with Walls.
“I wanted those seniors to go out with a bang. Just didn’t happen,” Walls said.
The Falls is expected to be in the hunt again next year with only two seniors graduating and a fifth sophomore, Shane Dexter, gaining valuable varsity experience this season.
“We had a great year, just didn’t cap it off with a section title,” Mason said. “Makes it a little bittersweet.”
West finishes strong, witnesses hole in one
Maggie West hit the century mark and carded a 100 Thursday in the opening round of the Section 7AA tournament. She rebounded Tuesday in tough conditions, tallied a 94 and witnessed the greatest shot in golf — a hole in one.
West was playing with Greenway’s Jane Sloan when the freshman tallied an ace on No. 17 at The Quarry at Giants Ridge, a 127-yard par 3. Sloan wasn’t even watching the ball when it rolled in, but her group was quick to notice.
When they approached the green, the group of four went together to scope it out.
“We all went up and checked the hole and started jumping up and down. What girls do best,” West said.
West was the top individual finisher for the Broncos with a two-day total of 194. She finished 13 shots back from the final state qualifier. Malinda Porter finished with a 201 (97-104) and Kelly Blair carded a 205 (97-108).
Hermantown won the girls meet with a 755, edging Virginia (763) and Hibbing (768).
