Three Concordia golfers to compete in state tournament

EMPORIA — Three Concordia High School golfers with no high school experience will be competing in the Class 3A state tournament at the Emporia Municipal Golf Course on Monday.
Concordia senior Paul Rundus, who went out for golf for the first time this season, qualified for state by placing 11th  in the regional tournament at Lake Barton Golf Course last Monday.
Rundus will be joined by freshmen Hayden Dvorak and Braxton Kindel.
Dvorak finished fifth in the regional tournament to earn his first trip to state, and Kindel was ninth.
“Paul has played in a few tournaments with me, but he has really not been a serious golfer. He goes out and plays recreationally,” Concordia coach Gene Rundus said, “My freshmen did junior golf, and really benefited from that. They were able to participate in some tournaments and get that feel. But it is a lot different when you step into a varsity high school sport. I had to kind of see where they were, and I thought there was potential there.”
Paul Rundus recorded five top 10 finishes during his first year of varsity golf. He carded a season best of 79 in the Concordia Invitational.
Dvorak finished in the top 10 in two tournaments including the regional.
Kindel shot his best round of the season in the regional tournament to advance to state.
“To get to state any time is special,” Gene Rundus said, “I don't think these freshmen quite get it. It came to them, not easily, but fairly easily. I hope they don't underappreciate, undervalue it when they get down to Emporia.”
All three of the Panthers played a practice round on the state course earlier this week.
“It is a long course,” Gene Rundus said, “It is just going to take a constant effort. Don't play just stay out of trouble though. We can't be too conservative.”
Paul Rundus will tee off on number one with Kory Chesnut, Fredonia; Dylan Schnoor, Wellsville; and Coty Wilson, Caney Valley.
Kindel starts on number 10 with Chance John, Caney Valley; Aiden Kearny, Wellsville; and Riley Johnson, Frontenac.
Dvorak will also start on number 10 with Grant Reischick, St. Mary's; Gregory Sperfslage, Nemaha Central; and Dustin Swain, Silver Lake.
“Have fun, set a goal and back up or improve on what we shot at regionals. Prove that we deserve to be there,” Gene Rundus said of the three first timers competing at state.
Sabetha is the defending Class 3A state champion.
Grant Brenneman, Hesston, returns to defend his individual state title. He shot 72 last year at Spring Creek Golf Course in Seneca.