Topper golfers turn in season’s best at sectional
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FREDERIC — Glenwood City saved its best for last.
Despite temperatures in the mid-90s, the Hilltoppers’ golf team turned in its best performance of the season finishing with a score of 392 in last Wednesday’s WIAA Division 3 Luck/Frederic Golf Sectional held at the Frederic Golf Course.
The tough sectional competition also brought out the best in sophomore Ian Radintz who carded a score of 83 in the 18-hole tournament, his best of not only the season but his prep career.
“The boys persevered through very warm weather and posted a season best 392 (196 on nine equivalent),” stated first-year head coach David Popko. “The highlight of the day for coach Rachael Nied and myself was Ian Radintz’s personal best round of 83.”
Unfortunately, Glenwood City saw its 2021 golf season come to an end despite the team’s and Radintz’ best endeavors in the June 9 tournament.
The Hilltoppers placed tenth in the 12-school sectional while Radintz finished in a four-way tie for eighth place just a single stroke from earning an individual berth in next week’s state tournament in Wisconsin Dells.
“The score was so competitive that we had to wait for the end of the tournament to determine if Ian would go to state,” noted Popko on a school Facebook post. “He ended up missing the threshold for a playoff by one stroke.”
Only the top two teams and first three individuals from non-qualifying schools earned state berths.
Dunn-St. Croix Conference champion Durand easily followed up its regional win with a victory in Frederic. The Panthers had all five of its golfers place 19th or higher to easily win the sectional team title with a low score of 327. Eleva-Strum, headlined by senior Nick Higley’s top score of two-under-par 70, finished a distant second with 357 to also advance to state.
Jake West (81), a senior from Ladysmith; Drummond sophomore Alex Rasmussen (81); and Luck/Frederic junior Ross Anderson (82) earned the individual state-qualifying positions.
Radintz shot a 44 on his first nine holes in Frederic and then shaved an amazing five strokes off that score on the back nine to shoot a 39 for a final tally of 83.
Junior Owen Swenby was the only other Glenwood City golfer to shoot under 100. Swenby was consistent with a 49 on the opening nine holes and followed it with a 48 on the back nine to score 97 and 35th place in the 72-player sectional field.
Topper sophomore Gabe Knops and freshman Ben Wittmer both tied for 47th place with two other competitors after tallying scores of 106. Knops started slowly with a 57 on his first nine holes but came on strong in his final nine holes for a 49. Likewise, Wittmer got better as the day went on shooting an opening nine hole score of 56 before trimming off six strokes to end with a 50.
Freshman Jared Hager was the fifth and final member of the Toppers’ sectional contingent. Hager finished in 69th place with a 136. He shot a 74 over his first nine holes but cut off a dozen strokes over the course of the final nine holes to score a 62.
“We have had a great season!” concluded Popko.