Senior trio leads South Winneshiek back to state golf meet

IOWA CITY — South Winneshiek has relied on its experienced senior trio all season.

Like many of those other times, they came through again and earned another trip to the state golf meet.

South Winn captured the team title at a Class 2A golf district Thursday at Pleasant Valley Golf Course, getting a chance to improve last year's third-place state finish. The Warriors shot 334, topping runner-up Monticello by three.

'We've been on the hunt to get back down there,' said South Winn senior Logan Schweinefus, who fired 2-over 74 for medalist honors. 'We're trying to improve consistently but we lost three seniors from our team last year, so it's definitely a team effort to get back down to state.'

Conditions were favorable with winds at five to 10 miles per hour and temperatures above 60, but the course was challenging. The Warriors played well enough to advance, despite leaving a few strokes on the links.

'I was pretty happy with how things played out,' South Winn co-head coach Paul Jungblut said. 'This is a tough course. I think there were a lot of kids who struggled that normally wouldn't because there was enough trouble to get into.'

Schweinefus, Nathan Winter and Anthony Emanuel led the way. Winter shot 78, tying for fifth and Emanuel carded 86. All three were scorers at the 2015 state meet and have formed a strong nucleus this season. Landers Kaboushek added 98 to round out the Warriors' score.

'They've been playing great all season,' Jungblut said. 'They have been medalists in meets this year. We kind of knew they had to carry the load, because our other kids are all new from last year.'

The trio has pushed each other to improve and be their best. Each wants to post the low round, but it's more like mutual support than a rivalry between them.

'Everybody wants to play well,' Schweinefus said. 'If somebody has a bad day they aren't upset someone beat them. They are happy the other player did well.'

Schweinefus composed himself after a slow start, claiming the district championship by two strokes over Cascade's runner-up Race Cuckler. Schweinefus opened with a bogey, but rebounded with a birdie on the following par 5.

He putted well, recording just one three-putt in the round. His approach shots were accurate, avoiding the need for long putts.

'I hit quite a few fairways (and) several quality wedge shots,' Schweinefus said. 'All aspects of my game were kind of clicking.'

Schweinefus tied for second at the state meet as a junior. He has his sights on an individual title at state meet next Friday and Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. The team accomplishment is just important.

'Personally, of course, I'm trying to win it all,' Schweinefus said. 'We're there as a team as well, trying to win it. Winning as a team would be more special to me to share it with all my friends. Everybody that I have spent hours with in the summer and spring golfing.'

Monticello also earned a trip to the state meet, grabbing the final team spot. Jacob Bergman shot 80, while Cody Menster added 81 for the Panthers. Kyle Folken carded 83 and Marcus Norton had 93 for Monticello.

Cuckler qualified for state as an individual.

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