BIWABIK — “Bittersweet” was the word of the day Wednesday as International Falls came up short again in another attempt to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament.
Two Broncos qualified for state with Brett Musich finishing fifth and Glenn Walls sixth, but disappointment was everywhere with expectations at an all-time high for this team.
“We knew right away. We knew probably through six holes we were done,” Walls said.
It’s the third year in a row a bad Day 2 has spoiled any chances of a state tournament.
“What happens is we get excited before the round and when we get on the course we lose focus,” Walls said. “We lose focus so much we’re trying too hard.”
Virginia won the section with an impressive 2-day total of 602 (299-303) at The Quarry at Giants Ridge. Hermantown, the two-time defending section champ, finished runner-up at 612 (302-310). The Broncos were third with a 633, but that was after a 304 on the first day. A 329 on Day 2 put the Broncos 31 shots off the pace. Duluth Central finished fourth with a 668 (328-340).
Dan Bidle of Virginia (67-73) and Andrew Oakes of Hermantown (70-70) tied for the section title at 140, while Virginia’s Dakota Lundstrom finished third at 148 (75-73). Duluth Central’s Ben Wrazidlo was fourth with a 150 (73-77), just ahead of Musich (71-80—151) and Walls (74-79—153).
Walls had his opinion on the Day 2 struggles, but Musich and Broncos head coach Bill Mason were still wondering what happened 24 hours later.
“Maybe just nerves,” Mason said Thursday. “It wasn’t weather. It wasn’t wind or rain or cold. I don’t know.
“For some reason we couldn’t get anything done today regarding our scores,” Mason added. “Everyone got off to less than spectacular starts and then I could sense some frustration, and we all started pressing for scores, but realized we were back too far to get back into the race.”
Musich, who wasn’t on varsity two years ago but participated in last year’s struggles, was also at a loss for what happened.
“I couldn’t really tell ya,” the sophomore said. “There were some tough pins, but it wasn’t that tough. ... I know I was nervous, but I settled down.”
Derek Riley, who qualified for state with Walls last season, was the only Bronco to improve his Day 2 score, but he finished tied for 21st with a 167 (85-82). Jeff Shermoen finished a shot back at 168 (78-90) and Joel Skirten had a 169 (81-88). Shane Dexter, the lone senior, withdrew and didn’t finish. After putting with his sand wedge on hole 6 and teeing off noticeably frustrated on hole 9 — without taking a practice swing — he admitted to The Journal his back had been giving him problems over the past three weeks.
Walls posted the best round of Day 2 for the Broncos at 79, while Musich posted the best front nine at 39, but that’s not going to get a team to state in the difficult Section 7AA.
Walls and Musich are excited to be participating at the state tournament, which starts June 15 at the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan, and plan to use the section results as motivation, among other things.
“Definitely going for the win, especially after last year,” said Walls, who was tied for the lead last year after the first round before struggling on Day 2 and finishing seventh.
Musich really stepped up his game this year after consistently finishing fourth or fifth on the team last year.
“He played great this year, too,” Mason said, “so his game is as good as anyone’s in the state.”
