Boys' golf: WCA's Wagner, Osakis' Hartmann qualify for state

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Osakis’ Paul Hartmann and MattWagner of West Central Area punched their ticket to the Class A boys’ golf tournament in Becker June 12-13 by finishing in the top five at the Section 5A meet last Thursday.

Wagner shot an 80 to finish third individually and pace the Knights to a team score of 368 (fourth place). Hartmann was right behind him in fourth-place individually after carding an 81.

The Osakis senior became just the second male player to qualify for the state tournament from Osakis. Ryan Wagner also accomplished it in 2007. Osakis seniors Troy Asseln and Nathan Arens saw their careers come to an end at the section meet after shooting an 89 and 95, respectively.

It was a continuation of what has been a strong senior season for Hartmann. He led the team with a nine-hole scoring average of 41.7 and was the Central Minnesota Conference individual champion.

Wagner has also put together an impressive senior season to earn his place at state. He avoided the big number that plagued a lot of others in Benson to finish two shots off section medalist Ryan Sumner of Dawson-Boyd.

“We are very proud of Matt making it to state for the second time,” head coach Kraig Hunter said. “Benson is a position golf course. You have to know your yardages to certain spots on the fairway, and you have to be on the correct side of the fairway so you are not dealing with overhanging branches or tight doglegs…Matt positioned himself well, and other than one hole, did not have any big numbers.”

Dawson-Boyd won the team title with a 332. Ortonville was second at 347, while Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (360) and WCA rounded out the field. Hunter Pfingsten was the Knights’ second-lowest scorer with a 92. Calvin Anderson shot a 97 and Mike Engler had a 99 to round out the top four.

“Freshman Hunter Pfingsten also had a good round today,” Hunter said. “We will miss a good senior class who had some nice accomplishments over the past few years. They are Anderson, Engler, Kent Kjesbo and Brad Westrom, and after the state tournament, Matt Wagner. Matt has been to state once before, and he will prepare to play well down there.”

SECTION 5A BOYS’ GOLF TOURNAMENT

TEAM RESULTS – 1. Dawson-Boyd – 332; 2. Ortonville – 347; 3. BBE – 360; 4. WCA – 368

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS – Jade Hasslen (ORT); Wager; Hartmann; Cole Mertens (BOLD); Dean Schroeder (MACCRAY)

OSAKIS SCORES – Hartmann – 81; Asseln – 89; Arens – 95

WCA SCORES – Wagner – 80; Pfingsten – 92; Anderson – 97; Engler – 99; Westrom – 100; Kjesbo – 102

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