 (Chase Strohmyer) While most students spent the Monday before finals week anticipating the Navi awards and reviewing for their exams, the North Star Varsity Golf Team spent their day at Highlands Golf Course for this year’s round of districts. Composed of four seniors and one junior, North Star’s golf team is full of experience and dedication. At districts, the team aimed to obtain their ticket to State. Just a week prior, the Gators shot a record low team score of 317; this score marks the lowest cumulative score for North Star in over a decade. With the added bonus of districts being played at the Gator’s home course, the advantages were piling up in North Star’s favor. The team only had one goal in mind for districts, and that was to usurp the Papillion-La Vista South Titans. A formidable rival all year, the Gators and Titans have been back and forth all spring at competing tournaments. Unfortunately, the Gators fell short of the Titans by a mere four strokes. When totaled, the Titans shot a score of 328 and the Gators 332. These scores were by far the closest gap in the district, and those four strokes are what sadly ended this year’s golf season for the Navigators. Papillon-La Vista would be going to State in the Gator’s stead. For the retiring seniors, missing the chance to send the team to state was crushing. Fortunately, number one and two players Carson Kildow (12) and Jacob Mustard (12) were able to qualify individually. Although they may have missed the mark, the team can’t help but marvel at the milestones and records they smashed throughout this season. Coach Scott Friesen states that this team has been “the best group of players [he’s] seen in years,” which serves as a testament to the effort the Gators have put forth. Each week, the team would shoot lower scores than the last and set new school records. And even though State wasn’t in the cards this season, the team remains hopeful due to returning juniors Brennan Harris, Jace Medina, and Kobe Merkel. With even more experience under their belts and a summer of practice ahead, the odds of more Gator greatness in the future looks promising. |
