CHS places second at Clay Center

CLAY CENTER — The Concordia High School girls' golf team posed its best nine-hole tournament score of the season in placing second in the Clay Center Invitational on Thursday.
Concordia carded a 196.
Wamego won the tournament with a 177. Thomas More Prep-Marian finished third with a 198.
“We played okay today. We continue to need to work on course management and remember that as we move forward, hitting fairways is of the utmost importance,” Concordia coach Gene Rundus said.
Junior Abby Donovan fired a 41 for Concordia, and tied for first place with Kelly Lonker, Wamego.
Lonker won the scorecard playoff to earn medalist honors.
“Abby was solid today. She had some challenging lies and had to deal with a few trees, but had a nice chip-in birdie on number seven,” Rundus said.
Junior Haley Lewis finished just outside the top 10 for the Panthers with a personal best score of 47. She tied for 10th, but was beaten in a scorecard playoff.
“Haley just missed medaling today, but her 47 should be a great confidence booster as we head to Hays on Monday and then regionals a week after that,” Rundus said.
Junior Shea Trecek fired a 53 for Concordia, and sophomore Bethany Trost rounded out the top five with a 55.
“It was great to see Bethany knock down a 55 and be part of our four-man score today,” Rundus said.
Maddie Blochlinger shot a 56 for the Panthers, and McKenzie Widen carded a 59.
“If you double up our score, we improved from our effort at Hesston and that was a good day for us, so I'm anxious to see how we handle a true 18 holes at Hays,” Rundus said.
The Panthers will play in the Thomas More Prep Invitational Monday at Smoky Hills Country Club.

CLAY CENTER INVITATIONAL
Team Scores
Wamego 177, Concordia 196, Thomas More Prep 198, Salina Central 205, Clay Center 229, Council Grove 233, Manhattan JV 243.
Top 10 Individuals
1. Lonker, Wamego, 41; 2. Donovan, Concordia, 41; 3. Romme, Thomas More Prep, 42; 4. Conway, Salina Central, 43; 5. Nutsch, Wamego, 44; 6. Wick, Wamego, 46; 7. Hoobler, Wamego, 46; 8. Pierson, Wamego; 46; 9. Heimerman, Thomas More Prep, 47; 10. Long, Salina Central, 47.