Neck and Neck for 36 Holes, Mounds Park Academy and Sleepy Eye United Share Class A Crown

June 13, 2018 | 2 min.

 

  BECKER, Minn. – After 18 holes Tuesday Sleepy Eye United and Mounds Park Academy sat deadlocked as both fired rounds of 325 to earn a share of the lead at the 2018 Minnesota State High School League Class A Boys’ Golf Tournament. After the 36th hole Wednesday the two remained tied at 641 to earn a share of the team title.
 
Led by individual medalist Ben Laffen, Sleepy Eye United earned its first state title in school history during its third trip to the state championship, while Mounds Park Academy collected its fourth team title and third over the past four seasons.
 
Laffen opened with a round of 2-under par 71 Tuesday and followed it with a 1-over par 73 during the final round Wednesday to win the individual title, improving on a fourth-place finish from one year ago.
 
Sleepy Eye also got help from freshman Logan Netzke who improved three shots from his opening-round 84 Tuesday to finish in 26th place at 164. Junior Andrew Neid placed tied for 27th at 166 and teammate Toby Weiss finished one shot back at 167 to place 29th.
 
After winning back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, Mounds Park Academy had a disappointing second round at the state tournament last season to finish four shots back of Sleepy Eye United in fourth place at 677. Bringing back all six varsity golfers for the 2018 season, the Panthers were led by seniors Matt Berning and two-time Class A individual champion Brock Bliese this week.
 
Berning carded a round of 81 to open the championship Tuesday and bounced back with a round of 1-under par 71 Wednesday, shooting a 33 on his front nine, to lead the charge for Mounds Park Academy. He would finish sixth at 151.
 
Bliese, who claimed his first individual title as an eighth-grader in 2014 and his second a year later, posted a round of 76 Tuesday to begin play at Pebble Creek and finished his career with a round of 80 to place ninth at 156.
 
The Panthers also got help from senior Jackson Peacock who notched a top-20 finish at 160.
 
Bethlehem Academy junior Khrystjan Petersen posted a round of 68 before firing a 67 during Wednesday’s final round to finish second, one shot back of Laffen, while freshman Brett Reid, of Community Christian, placed third at 148.
 
 
 
2018 MSHSL BOYS’ CLASS A GOLF TOURNAMENT
PEBBLE CREEK GOLF CLUB
BECKER, MINN.
6,419 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
FINAL TEAM RESULTS
T1. Sleepy Eye United, 325-316—641
T1. Mounds Park Academy, 325-316—641
3. North Woods, 328-330—658
4. Ottertail Central, 336-346—682
5. Lac Qui Parle Valley, 342-362—704
6. Fertile-Beltrami, 353-357—710
7. Murray County Central, 365-361—726
8. Kingsland, 383-381—764  
 
 
FINAL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Ben Laffen, Sleepy Eye United, 71-73—144
2. Khrystjan Petersen, Bethlehem Academy, 68-77—145  
3. Brett Reid, Community Christian, 77-71—148
T4. Tate Olson, North Woods, 77-73—150
T4. Brady Raph, Pine River-Backus, 75-75—150
6. Matt Berning, Mounds Park Academy, 81-70—151
T7. Tyler Lund, Dawson-Boyd, 75-78—153
T7. Kurt Lambert, Heritage Christian Acad., 74-79—153
9. Brock Bliese, Mounds Park Academy, 76-80—156
T10. Zach Braasch, Maranatha Christian, 78-79—157
T10. Mason Kretsch, Springfield, 77-80—157
 
 
For complete tournament results go to: www.mshsl.org/mshsl/golfscores.asp

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