Cardinal boys are Alexandria Invitational golf champs

• Ben VanKeulen

Echo Press photo by Eric Morken Ben VanKeulen carded an 80 to help the Cardinal boys’ golf team to the Alexandria Invitational championship Thursday.

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The Cardinal boys’ golf team defended its home course last Thursday with a 15-stroke win in the Alexandria Invite.

Casey Vangsness continues to hold his own as one of the top golfers in the state. He shot a one-under par 71 to earn medalist honors and lead Alexandria to a team score of 302. Moorhead finished second at 317.

Alexandria was strong throughout the lineup, with all four top scorers keeping it in the 70’s. Chris Sholts returned to form and shot a 75 to finish third, individually. Mike Sahli and Luke Johnson followed that with rounds of 77 and 79, respectively. Sahli’s 77 was good for a fifth-place finish.

Ben VanKeulen and Bennett Black rounded out the Cardinal boys’ top six. VanKeulen shot an 80, while Black came in with an 83.

“Ben and Bennett played steady but just couldn’t get their shots to drop,” head coach Rick Larson said. “But that is why it is a team and the others played well. I expect both Ben and Bennett to play better next meet.”

Alexandria also put a second team in the meet. Sophomores Jacob Bigger, Shawn Sahli, Tyler Bloedorn, Jordan Hafdal, Aaron Rooney and Derek Chermak all stepped up to varsity and placed 10th as a team with a score of 341. Bigger shot an 82 to lead the way, while Sahli carded an 85.

“Jacob Bigger and Shawn Sahli have both showed signs of varsity-type scoring and showed that yesterday,” Larson said. “I think nerves may have played a part in the scoring for Tyler Bloedorn, Jordan Hafdal, Aaron Rooney and Derek Chermak, but they earned a spot to play varsity and it will get better.”

ALEXANDRIA INVITE RESULTS

TEAM RESULTS – 1. Alexandria, Team One – 302; 2. Moorhead – 317; 3. New London-Spicer – 329; 4. St. Cloud Tech – 330; 5. Fergus Falls – 330; 6. Sartell – 331; 7. Sauk Rapids-Rice – 335; 8. Owatonna – 335; 9. Fargo South – 340; 10. Alexandria, Team Two – 341; 11. Bemidji – 345; 12. Little Falls – 349; 13. Willmar – 351; 14. St. Cloud Apollo – 366

ALEXANDRIA INDIVIDUAL RESULTS – Casey Vangsness – first place, 71; Chris Sholts – third place, 75; Mike Sahli – fifth place, 77; Luke Johnson – 79; Ben VanKeulen – 80; Bennett Black – 83

SECOND TEAM – Jacob Bigger – 82; Shawn Sahli – 85; Tyler Bloedorn – 87; Jordan Hafdal – 87; Aaron Rooney – 89; Derek Chermak – 94

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, boys, golf, cardinals, invitational