Menu
Bison golfers swing over Skutt Skyhawks and on to Class B state
BLAIR, Neb. — The PGA couldn’t provide better captivating drama than McCook High’s varsity boys Monday afternoon.
One final hole, one stroke and one Class B state tournament spot was on the line with McCook and Omaha Skutt Catholic ready to strike.
Be honest: the Skyhawks don’t miss a state playoff spot often whether it’s golf, football, wrestling or tennis.
Yet Monday was different thanks the Bison lineup of Cruz McCarty, Wyatt Benes, Asher Wilson, Tripp Raile...
The ultimate drama star: senior quarterback/baseball dirtbag/now leading golfer Trenton Raile.
Trenton did not disappoint on Blair’s River Wilds Golf Course to cap this B-1 district tourney as Bison coach Ben Vetrovsky reported:
“It came down to the last hole of the tournament and Trenton Raile was able to make a birdie on the 18 holes to send the team and himself to the state tournament,” B.V. proclaimed. “
Really proud of the players to handle a course that they were unfamiliar with and go out and compete at a high level.
Raile finished his round of 73 with the birdie capping McCook’s 331 team score.
The Skyhawks shot 332 to take fourth overall and end their state tournament hopes.
Bennington, Elkhorn and McCook will represent the district at next week’s Class B state tournament in Scottsbluff starting on Thursday, May 28.
“There were some really solid teams in our district and for the team to finish in the top three is really exciting,” Vetrovsky said. “We look forward to competing next week in Scottsbluff!”
Raile and McCarty would have both advanced to Class B state anyway after both placed among Monday’s best eight.
Elkhorn’s Grady Friedrichsen and Kale Lamberty both shot 70s with Austin Jochum from Bennington shooting 71.
Raile’s 73 earned B-1 tiebreaker as won a tie-breaker over fifth-place Caleb Clark from Bennington.
McCarty captured eighth place thanks to his round of 77.
Benes followed at 88, Wilson 93 and Tripp Raile shot 96.
The Bison were within three strokes of runner-up Elkorn’s 328.
Bennington earned breathing room at 289 featuring all five golfers finishing from 70 to 76.
The Bison will get one more shot against these eastern powers next week, going border to border with state being at Scottsbluff.
“Really proud of the players to handle a course that they were unfamiliar with and go out and compete at a high level,” Vetrovsky concluded. “We look forward to competing next week in Scottsbluff!”
The complete B-1 district team scores: 1. Bennington 289, 2. Elkhorn 328, 3. McCook 331, 4. Omaha Skutt 332, 5. Colubmus Lakeview 338, 6. Beatrice 353, 7. Broken Bow 360, 8. Seward 361, 9. Alliance 377, 10. Fort Calhoun 382, 11. Lincoln Northwest 389, 12. Schuyler 426. Watch for more details in upcoming editions.