St.Croix Central gets two golfers to state

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St. Croix Central is being represented by senior Brad Fedie and junior Austin Johnson at the 2008 WIAA Boys State Golf Championships in Madison.

Fedie and Johnson began play in the WIAA Division 2 state championships on Monday. The second round of the state championships were scheduled to be played Tuesday. The state tournament is played at University Ridge Golf Club in Madison.

Fedie and Johnson shot identical scores of 87 in their first round at state on Monday. Tuesday’s second round wasn’t completed in time to be included in this week’s issue.

Fedie and Johnson got to their 87s in different ways. Fedie was consistent, with a 44 on the front nine and a 43 on the back nine. Johnson struggled a bit on the front, shooting a 47. He then got his game together and shot a 40 on the back nine.

Amery’s Eric Christensen had the best round in the first day of the Division 2 state tournament. The Middle Border Conference’s top player this season shot a 67 in the first round at state.

Fedie and Johnson were individual qualifiers for the state tournament, via their sharp play in the Somerset Division 2 sectional tournament last Tuesday.

Fedie shot an 81 and Johnson an 82 to be the top two individual qualifiers from the Somerset sectional. The top two teams in the sectional meet qualify to compete as a team at state and Central nearly earned that honor. Rice Lake, as expected, won the sectional tournament with a score of 329. Mosinee earned the second state berth by shooting a 342. Central was third, two strokes behind Mosinee at 344.

Somerset also competed in the sectional meet. the Spartans placed sixth among the 12 teams in the tournament, finishing the day with a score of 355.

Central’s golfers knew they would need their best round of the season to advance to state as a team and the Panthers nearly pulled it off. Johnson, who has been one of the hottest golfers in the area the past few weeks, continued his hot play at the sectional meet. Fedie had an off day at the WIAA regionals, but bounced back with an outstanding round at the sectional meet. His score of 81 tied for the third best overall round in the sectional tournament.

Junior Jesse Krizan was Central’s third golfer at the sectional, finishing with a 90. Senior Colin Bruesewitz finished with a 91 and senior Nick Revoir ended at 101.

Somerset was hoping to be in contention for individual and team trips to state, but the Spartans couldn’t quite get to that level on their home course.

Senior Derek Smith led the Spartans by shooting an 86 at the sectional meet. Seniors Eric Schleusner and Chad Kobs each shot an 89. Senior Keith Lahde finished at 91 and junior David Moulton finished at 93.

“We finished sixth out of 12 teams which is respectable but not where we wanted to finish,” said Somerset coach Bill Powers. “It was even more disappointing after we found out what won and what went on. I had three or four players capable of shooting an 82. It was a tough day not only for us but many of the teams.”

2008 WIAA Division 2 Somerset Sectional Tournament at Bristol Ridge Golf Club

Team Scores: Rice Lake 329, Mosinee 342, St. Croix Central 344, Black River Falls 349, Amery 349, Somerset 355, Ashland 358, Medford 362, Aquinas 365, Cumberland 368, West Salem 373

St. Croix Central scores

Brad Fedie 43-38=81; Austin Johnson 38-44=82; Jesse Krizan 43-47=90; Colin Bruesewitz 47-44=91; Nick Revoir 53-48=103

Somerset scores

Derek Smith 44-42=86; Eric Schleusner 44-45=89; Chad Kobs 45-44=89; Keith Lahde 44-47=91; Dave Moulton 43-50=93

Tags: sports, golf, st, croix, central, fedie