McCook boys qualify entire golf team for state!

Playing partners watch McCook senior Hunter Hansen (above) send a drive soaring across Heritage Hills during Monday’s B-4 district tournament. Hansen hit enough shots to reach the top 15.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — The back nine was a beast but McCook High’s golfers stepped up big time to earn their Class B state tournament team spot on Monday.

The Bison finished third among 12 B-4 teams at Heritage Hills, finishing 21 strokes better than Chadron for that final state-clinching spot.

In other words, McCook now what all this summer work and practices have been aiming at for months.

McCook senior Jonas Somerville drove his way to a No. 4 finish at Monday’s B-4 district golf tournament.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

“Our ultimate goal all along was to make state and we are there,” coach Ben Vetrovsky proclaimed about seniors Jonas Somerville, Hunter Hansen and Matthew Nichols leading McCook to a third consecutive Class B team qualification.

Class B takes place at Scottsbluff next Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Scottsbluff’s a short enough course that a lot of teams will have a shot,” Vetrovsky proclaimed. “Including us.”

There’s nothing short about Heritage Hills especially since winds gusting to nearly 40 miles per hour greeted all B-4 golfers on Monday.

Yet Somerville started so strong, firing 38 through the first nine holes to lead this district.

Freshman Landon Kmoch also scored a solid 40 on the front nine, and those efforts helped McCook conquer that beastly back nine.

“You never know how a freshman will play at districts, but Landon getting into the top 10 is big time,” Vetrovsky said. “And Jonas played the way a veteran should.”

Somerville finished fourth overall to lead the Bison (85) while Kmoch placed 10th (90).

Hansen moved into 15th place at 93 while freshman Reid Loop also matched that round.

Nichols wasn’t thrilled about his 99 on Monday, but he’ll also be on his way to state next week.

“I’m so happy for all these guys,” Vetrovsky concluded about his first varsity golf team as McCook’s head coach.

Watch for more details about state in upcoming editions of the Gazette and at mccookgazette.com.

Team standings: 1. Scottsbluff 349, 2. Ogallala 358, 3. McCook 361, 4. Chadron 382, 5. Cozad 385, 6. Sidney 390, 7. Gering 395, 8. Gothenburg 399, 9. Alliance 402, 10. Broken Bow 409, 11. Holdrege 437, 12. Lexington 441.

Top 15 placers with Top 10 qualifying for Class B state:

1. John Beier, SID, 80; 2. Austin Thyne, SCOT, 81; 3. Kaedon Patton, SCOT, 84; 4. Jonas Somerville, MC, 84; 5. Jacksyn Behrends, CHAD, 88; 6. Caleb Castillo, OGA, 88; 7. Corbin Murphy, OGA, 88; 8. John Maser, GER, 88; 9. Jake Hiltibrand, OGA, 89; 10. Landon Kmoch, MC, 90; 11. Tommy Dredla, SCOT, 91; 12. Kaden Broeker, HOLD, 91; 13. Paul Cole, COZ, 92; 14. Graham Shaddick, SCOT, 93; 15. Hunter Hansen, MC, 93.