HOLMEN — The Onalaska High School boys golf team was able to force a playoff on Wednesday but not secure a spot in the upcoming WIAA state tournament.
The Hilltoppers completed 18 holes at Drugan’s Castle Mound with a score of 317 after senior John Werwinski knocked down a 12-foot par putt on No. 18 before Madison West grabbed second place by winning a collective score on No. 10.
The Regents completed the hole in 17 strokes to beat Onalaska by three and deny the Hilltoppers a state appearance. Middleton won the Holmen Sectional with a 305, and the top two sectional teams qualify.
“They fell behind early but came back on the back nine and gave themselves a chance,” Onalaska coach Scott Skogen said. “John made the putt of his life to get us in the playoff, and there’s a lot of stuff going on out there in a playoff.
“We didn’t have enough pars, their No. 1 made a birdie, and you just tip your cap to them.”
Werwinski shot a 9-over-par 79 that was good for a share of ninth place individually and positioned himself to put them in the playoff with a birdie at No. 17. Freshman teammate Rylan Tomashek shot a 78 and had sole possession of eighth place.
Waunakee junior Peyton Albers was meet medalist with a 1-over 71. He beat Middleton junior Luke Weiss by one stroke for the title.
Albers, Reedsburg’s Preston Powell (74) and Madison Edgewood’s Drew Bindl (74) grabbed the individual qualifying spots for state.
Onalaska also received scoring rounds from freshman Colten Schroeder (80) and sophomore Chasen Witt (80).
Holmen placed sixth with a 329 and was led by senior Spencer Gault’s 80. Senior Cale Halaska added an 82, junior Logan Pinnow an 83 and junior Ayden Dirks an 84.
Central/Logan senior Zach Weiss also qualified for the sectional finished with a round of 90, which placed him 42nd.
The Hilltoppers won the MVC championship, then the Sauk Prairie Regional title before their sectional performance on Wednesday. Skogen had the luxury of a balanced lineup that had four players who could win any given tournament.
“We were close this year, but we will learn a lot from this,” Skogen said. “We’re a good team with good players, and we have to be able to compete better when the nerves are up.
“I think we grew a lot as a team this year and grew up a lot today.”
DIVISION 2
Hayward Sectional
HAYWARD — Aquinas just missed out on a spot in the state tournament when its 316 was four shots behind champion Prescott and two behind runner-up Lakeland at the Hayward Golf Club.
West Salem was 12th with a 359and led by senior Kyle Hehli’s 87, which was good for 46th place. The Panthers also had scoring rounds from sophomore Noah Wachter (88), senior Gavin Loging (89) and senior Logan Oldenburg (95).
Arcadia freshman Jaszewski shot an 83 and placed 31st individually.
The Blugolds were coming off a regional championship at Trempealeau Mountain but couldn’t catch the top two schools.
Freshman James Siegert shot a 3-over 75 and led Aquinas with a ninth-place finish. Sophomore Jack Vogel shot a 77, senior Matthew Rabinda an 81 and sophomore Michael Jones an 83.
Lakeland junior Davis Kock and Altoona sophomore Elliot Skinner tied for medalist honors at 2-under 70. Skinner, Hayward’s Liam Aldoff (73) and Saint Croix Central’s Braiden Rasmussen (74) are the individual state qualifiers from the sectional.
DIVISION 3
Williams Bay Sectional
DELAVAN — Onalaska Luther posted a fifth-place performance at 347 in a meet that was won by Durand-Arkansaw in a playoff over C-FC after both teams tied with scores of 315 at Delbrook Golf Course.
Senior Logan Sherry shot a 14-over 84 to lead the Knights in a tie for 17th place. Luther also received scoring rounds from senior Synclair Byus (87), senior Ian Bass (88) and freshman Robert Bruns (88).
C-FC senior Cameron Lipinski shot a 1-over 71 to claim medalist honors.
