Teams put seasons on line at district tourneys

~ Central, Jackson and Notre Dame will make bids today for state meet.

St. Vincent seniors Zach Richardet and Corey Brueckner brought home all-state finishes for the Indians last year.

Now, following a successful regular season, Richardet and Brueckner will try to lead a veteran group to a district title and a place in the state tournament. Only the district team champion advances to the state meet, although if a team qualifies four individuals it can compete as a team at state.

The Indians will go to the Ste. Genevieve Golf Course on Wednesday for the Class 1 District 1 meet. St. Vincent won a tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club earlier this year which featured nearly all the teams from District 1.

"That was a real confidence booster for the kids," St. Vincent coach Tom Prost said. "First off, they shot well, and to win it was good for the kids. There were a couple teams not there and Thayer was one of them."

Thayer, last year's District 1 winner, has finished in the top four each of the past four years, including losing out on a state title last year on the tie-breaker. Also in District 1 this year are area first-year programs Saxony Lutheran and Advance.

Two years ago, the Indians earned their ticket to the state meet as a team by getting four players through to the state meet. St. Vincent finished seventh in 2005. The Indians earned eight top-four finishes in nine years from 1994 to 2002, but have not finished in the top four since.

"We're playing really good golf right now," Prost said. "We just need to get a little better."

The top area team throughout the year has been Jackson. Jackson's chances of a district title are hampered by the presence of perennial Class 4 powerhouse Poplar Bluff in District 1. The Mules are once again the district favorite in today's District 1 meet at Eagle Lake Golf Course in Farmington.

"We've had a good year and I think everyone in the area is pretty competitive except Poplar Bluff," Jackson coach Ron Cook said. "Poplar Bluff is way ahead of everyone. ... They've got a heck of a team. They've got five or six kids that are scratch golfers. They're in good position."

Jackson senior T.J. Smith should be among the top individuals in the district. A.J. Balsman and Brian Hill have also been among the top four all season for Jackson.

"I'm hoping we could get a couple out of the district," Cook said. "I'm hoping for him [Smith] for sure because he's been so consistent."

Central, which qualified four individuals last season, has struggled following the loss of its four senior state qualifiers. Jack Connell will likely be Central's top shot for a state qualifier.

Notre Dame sophomore Brett Slaten will look to qualify for his second straight state tournament when the Bulldogs play today at the Class 3 District 1 tournament, also at Eagle Lake. Slaten was one of two Notre Dame players to qualify for the state tournament last year.

John Oliver and Austin Gelsheimer have been among Notre Dame's top four throughout the year and could be among the contenders for an individual berth.

"We'll just have to see how they shoot," Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim said. "This is a tough course to play. The rough is so thick, and that's the short rough. He's [Slaten] done a pretty good job for us, and we have John Oliver who's done a good job. Austin Gelsheimer too. They could do it if they put their mind to it."