Riley Larson earned his second-straight trip to the State Boys Golf Tournament by tying for sixth place at the Section 3AA Golf Finals last Wednesday at Oakdale Golf Course in Buffalo Lake.

Larson and his teammates finished fourth overall as NLS earned the Section 3AA team title by five strokes over Luverne.  Larson, a senior, had scored of 76 and 76 for a two-day total of 152.

“Riley golfed very steady both days and came through with two very solid rounds,” coach Dave Drexler said.  “As a team, we shot well, but the section was loaded with a lot of very good teams and we did about as well as I expected.”

NLS had the top score on the first day with a round of 315, while Luverne, which started nine shots back, had a 304 for the top round the second day.

Morris Area’s Charlie Hanson earned medalist honors with a 144 total on rounds of 70 and 74.

Larson, who qualified to state last year with a 151 total on rounds of 77 and 74, went on to place 65th last year at state with a 169 total on rounds of 88 and 81.  Last year, NLS also won the Section 3AA team title with a 604 total, while the Lakers were third with a 640.

The Class AA Boys Golf Tourney is set for June 13-14 at Ridges on Sand Creek in Jordan.

Section 3AA Prelims

The Lakers find themselves tied for fourth of 16 teams after the Section 3AA Prelims, Thursday.  NLS won the title with a score of 315, followed by Luverne (324), Marshall (324), Minnewaska Area (330) and Windom Area (330).

Those five schools will return to the Oakdale course and play another 18 holes to determine the ultimate Section 3AA team champion.

Morris Area’s Charlie Hanson, who was the top golfer in the WCC, earned medalist honors during the meet with a 70.  

Minnewaska’s Riley Larson shot a 76 to tie for fourth, while Zach Gugisberg had an 82 to tie for 15th, Thatcher Sherlin carded an 83 to tie for 18th and Blake Nelson shot an 89 to tie for 50th.

Section 3AA Finals

Riley Larson earned a second-straight state berth by shooting a 152 total at the Section 3AA Boys Golf Finals and tying for sixth place overall.

Larson had identical rounds of 76 and 76 to place sixth overall.  He was tied for fourth after his first 76, but moved up a couple of places on the second day.

NLS had a nine-stroke lead over Luverne and Marshall after shooting a 315 total the first day and held on to the lead after shooting a 308 the second day with Luverne winning the second day with a 304 total.

Charlie Hanson, who was the top golfer in the WCC, had a first-round 70 and second-round 74 for a 144 total, which was four shots better than Owen Sudenga, of Luverne (74-74–148).

Thatcher Sherlin had a 76 on the second day for one of the top scores for a 159 total to place 12th (83-76–159), while Zach Gugisberg was 23rd overall (82-83–165) and Blake Nelson was 32nd (89-83–172).

Section 3AA Prelims

Boys team scoring:  

(1) NLS 315  (2) Luverne 324 and Marshall 324  (4) Minnewaska 330 and Windom 330  (6) Fairmont 332  (7) Morris Area 333  (8) West Central Area 334  (9) Pipestone 335  (10) Redwood 346  (11) Litchfield 355 and ACGC 355  (13) Worthington 356  (14) New Ulm 357 and Jackson County Central 357  (16) Montevideo 364

Boys top five:  

(1) Charlie Hanson, Mor 70  (2) Owen Sudenga, Litch 74  (3) Luke Ehlers, Mar 75  (4) tie, Riley Larson, Min and Harmon Schrunk, Fair, both 76  

Minnewaska results:  (4) Riley Larson 76  (15) Zach Gugisberg 82  (18) Thatcher Sherlin 83  (50) Blake Nelson 89

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Section 3AA Finals

Boys team scoring:  

(1) NLS 315-308–623  (2) Luverne 324-304–628  (3) Marshall 324-310–634  (4) Minnewaska 330-318–648  (5) Windom Area 330-336–666

Boys top five:  

(1) Charlie Hanson, Morris 70-74–144  (2) Owen Sudenga, Luv 74-74–148  (3) tie, Luke Ehlers, Marshall 75-74–149; and Nixon Harrier, NLS 77-72–149  (5) Blake Kath, NLS 77-73-150 . . . Also to state —  Riley Larson, Minnewaska 76-76–152; and Mitchell Dewey, WCA 77-75–152

Minnewaska results:  (6) Riley Larson 76-76–152  (12) Thatcher Sherlin 83-76–159  (23) Zach Gugisberg 82-83–165  (32) Blake Nelson 89-83–172

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