Jackson golfers post best state finish, end up ninth

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Led by all-state performer Matt Litzelfelner, Jackson ended with its best finish ever at the Class 4 state championships by placing ninth in the team standings at Rivercut Golf Course.

Litzelfelner, a senior, finished with a two-day total of 8-over-par 152, ending in a fifth-place tie that included Central junior Todd Obergoenner. Both golfers finished with all-state honors that went to the top 15 individuals in each class.

Litzelfelner followed up a first-round 79 with a 1-over-par 73. Obergoenner shot identical rounds of 76 for his 152 total.

Contributing to Jackson's team total were Chad Reiminger (T-28, 76-82--158), Eric Fraley (T-71, 79-90--169), Blake McDowell (T-103, 93-86--179) and Gabe Sauer (T-116, 89-98--187).

Jackson finished with a 654 total, 37 strokes behind front-runner DeSmet. Jackson followed Monday's first-round 323 with a 331. DeSmet was the only school in the 16-team field to lower its score in the second round, overtaking first-day leader Chaminade.

Central freshman Blake Driskell finished tied for 63rd (83-83--166).

In the Class 2 meet at Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield, St. Vincent's Joel Carron tied for 58th (85-87--166).

In Class 3, Sikeston finished eighth and Dexter ninth at Silo Ridge Golf & Country Club in Bolivar.