The Spartans Win their 8th Consecutive Region XIII/MCAC Championship
*The Spartans win their 8th consecutive Region XIII/MCAC Championship in dramatic fashion.
*M State fired a 2nd day round of 305 and a two day total of 613 (308-305) to win the MCAC/Region XIII Championship by 2 shots.
*Spartans dueled with Southwest Tech and withstood a huge charge from the Chargers who shot a 2nd day 300 and two day of 615 (315-300).
*M State's Carter Justesen won medalist honors with a 73 on day 2 for a two day total of 149. Justesen won in a playoff over Southwest Tech's Ryan Pederson
*The Spartans Hunter Moen shot a 2nd day 73 and Austin Miller was the third Spartan in the 70's with a 79.
*Other notable scores: Drew Zimmerman (Southwest Tech) 78=+73= 151, Trey Stendalen (Southwest Tech) 76+77=153, Sam Albrecht (Mesabi Range) 77+79=156.
*M State's Jason Retzlaff was named the Region XIII Coach of the Year
*With the championship, the Spartans have qualified for the 2019 NJCAA Div. III Championship June 4-7 at Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, NY.
M State Individual Results:
Carter Justesen 76 (Day 1) + 73 = 149 (Medalist)
Hunter Moen 81+73= 154
Blake Bloedorn 76+80= 156
Wyatt Blomseth 75+82= 157
Austin Miller 82+79= 161
"It was a tremendous day of golf with two teams that played at a very high level. We got off to a wobbly start and Southwest Tech played nothing shy of a superb round of golf. It was probably the best round any of our teams have had to compete against in the Region tourney throughout the years. Our 7 shot lead from day 1 was gone quickly but our players didn't flinch and played some outstanding golf on the back nine. We had numerous par saves that were simply clutch. All five of our players made par on the 18th hole which turned out to be key."
"Wyatt and Blake had outstanding rounds on day 1 and Hunter was great on day 2. Austin Miller's back nine finish on day 2 was a big difference maker. And a big congratulations to Carter Justesen on winning the medalist honor as he put on a ball striking clinic all day. He drove the ball fantastic and didn't miss a shot in the 2 hole playoff."
"I can't say enough about how well the Southwest Tech Golf team played. Scott Kennedy has an outstanding golf program and they played a fantastic 2 days of golf. We were very fortunate to edge them out in such a close duel. I am thrilled that our group of young men earned the opportunity to compete at the National Tournament. They have been a wonderful group to coach and we look forward to seeing what we can do in Chautauqua next June."
The Spartans Fall season is now over.
The photos attached:
1. Team Photo (From Left to Right: Head Coach Jason Retzlaff, Hunter Moen, Wyatt Blomseth, Carter Justesen, Austin Miller, Jordan Kern, Blake Bloedorn, Assistant Coach Jeff Haukos)
2. Carter Justesen hits an approach on Day 2 (Photo 2 taken by Jeff Haukos)