Rivalry? Marion, Hillsboro talent makes for interesting plot on the links
Sports reporter
Hillsboro and Marion High Schools are threatening to make Marion County a golf powerhouse.
The two schools combined for seven of the top-10 medals, with the Warriors earning four.
Chase Carlson just missed a medal with an 11th place finish.
MHS senior Travis Hett was tied with Trojan Justin Kent after shooting a 74, but had to take second place because of a scorecard tiebreak.
"Travis was really focused," head coach Rex Ostmeyer said. "I could sense it before the meet."
Jake Bredemeier and Keith Jones both shot 82, and took seventh and ninth place due to a tiebreak as well. Sophomore Luke Gordon was ninth after shooting 84.
At Herington April 3 it was Hett taking third and HHS golfer Elliott Soyez winning the match. Two other Warriors placed in the top-10 as well.
The two schools have been representing the county well, and a friendly rivalry on the course between the two schools just 10 miles apart could make for an interesting plot heading into the state tournament.
"There are good kids on both sides," Ostmeyer said. "I really feel we are the two best teams in the region."
As a team Marion fell two strokes shy of Hillsboro, and took second place with a 519.
The four-man group of Hett, Jones, Gordon, and Bredemeier finished first with a total of 324.
"We should be there every meet," Ostmeyer said. "If we can shoot around 315 we will be right in the ballpark."
MHS hit the course Monday at the Council Grove invitational, and are on the links again Friday in Wichita for a meet hosted by Collegiate.
As the spring season kicks into high gear, Ostmeyer said his team should only get better.
Ostmeyer said it will come down to depth for his team. Right now Hett usually shoots in the low to mid-70s, and Jones, Bredemeier, and Gordon find themselves in the low to mid-80s. Carlson could be a key to post-season victory for the Warriors. The junior has shot 87 in his first two meets this season.
"We have some goals for Chase, and I know he wants to break into that top-four," Ostmeyer said.
