Decorah’s Sacquitne looks to improve state finish

Sam Sacquitne has a bad taste in his mouth and the only cure is the sweet taste of more.

The Decorah junior is hungry for a better finish.

Sacquitne will make his third appearance at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A state golf meet today at Spring Valley Golf Course in Livermore. The Vikings team also will return to the state meet, falling short last season.

Sixth place at state did not set well with Sacquitne.

'After the first day, I left at least three strokes out there and I was very sour about that,” Sacquitne said. 'I came back and shot the same score the second day. I didn't do horrible, but there is definitely room for improvement.”

The previous state result doesn't motivate him as much as a long-term goal. The two-time state qualifier, who had a top-15 finish as a freshman, has aspirations to follow other Decorah golfers, including Cody Schweinefus, Andrew Peter and Nick Nelson, into the NCAA Division I ranks.

'You have to put up good scores to do that,” Sacquitne said. 'The competition in my age group in Iowa right now is incredible, so to know that there is always someone out there that can beat you, even if you shoot par or better, drives you to not be satisfied.”

Sacquitne ranks second in 3A in 18-hole average with 72, trailing only Centerville state champion Alex Moorman, who comes in at 70.5. He focused on strengthening his overall game during the off-season, becoming more consistent with his driver and putting.

'Last year, I didn't hit near as many fairways as I needed, which took away birdie opportunities and greens in regulation,” Sacquitne said. 'If I would have hit it I would have shot lower scores.”

Sacquitne is the next in a long line of Decorah title contenders. Schweinefus was a two-time state champion and runner-up medalist before competing at Drake. Peter was a state titlist before playing for Iowa State. Nelson, a state runner-up, plays for Marquette. Sacquitne said Nelson has taught him a lot during the rounds they have played together over the years and he knows Schweinefus and his family well. Sacquitne would like to join their club.

'It's an advantage to have players before you to kind of set the stage,” Sacquitne said. 'It's always the same for us to want to beat them, or to be one shot better than them.

'They have set the right path for me … They have done a lot for the program.”

The program finds itself back at state. The Vikings missed qualifying by a stroke last year, placing second at state in 2013 after a team crown in 2012. Sacquitne said he welcomes the company.

'It's probably the greatest thing in the world,” Sacquitne said. 'We've been playing together. Every time you get out on that course I can guarantee that every player on our team has ‘I want to improve today' in the back of their minds in the hopes of winning a state championship.”

Decorah will be joined by Mount Vernon and Williamsburg. The Raiders are making their sixth straight state appearance, while the Mustangs qualified after placing third in the 2A meet last season. Mount Vernon's Connor Herrmann was third at the 2014 3A state tournament.

In 1A, East Buchanan sophomore Chris Cooksley will attempt to defend his individual state title. The Bucs are back after placing fourth last season. Starmont also made the team field at American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown.

South Winneshiek and Jesup will compete in 2A at Ames Golf and Country Club. Monticello's Jacob Bergman is in the individual field.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com