Eberhart, Thompson medal to lead Wildcats at Paola

Louisburg senior Johnny Eberhart shot an 85 and medaled fourth at the Paola Invitational last Monday.

PAOLA — The Louisburg golf team took another step forward in its season last week when the Wildcats took part in the Paola Invitational.

Senior Johnny Eberhart and junior Johnny Thompson finished in the top 10 and led the Wildcats to a fourth-place finish with a 373. 

Louisburg finished a stroke behind third place Paola and two strokes behind runner-up Kansas City Christian. Anderson County won the meet with a 358.

It was the kind of showing the Wildcats were looking for at the Paola County Club, in what was their second meet of the season.

“I didn’t expect too many medals this season, but the golfers are one of the most coachable groups I have had,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “We as a team still have a long way to go with building confidence in their swings and the short game, but we are off to a great start.”

Eberhart bounced back in a big way from his opening tournament as he shot a team-best 85 at Paola and medaled fourth overall.

Thompson earned his second medal in as many meets as he shot an 89 to take seventh overall. The Wildcats nearly had a third medalist, but junior A.J. Arriola was 11th with a 93.

“Johnny Eberhart knows that he can shoot in the 80s on that course and he was disappointed with shooting 100 at Dub’s Dread,” Burns said. “He definitely redeemed himself. Johnny Thompson has been consistent in tournaments and he focuses well for competitions.

“I thought A.J. Arriola might get a medal as well as he parred his last two holes, but he just missed it. They all did well.”

Sophomore Jackson Olson was next on the team with a 106, while senior Dacey Wieland and sophomore Brock Varns carded a 107 and 115, respectively. 

Louisburg is back in action Tuesday when it competes in the Osawatomie Invitational. The Wildcats will hit the Sycamore Ridge links in Spring Hill on Thursday for the Frontier League Invitational.

“Sycamore will be a big challenge if they can’t trust their swings,” Burns said. “You have to hit it straight. The greens out there are crazy fast and will be a feat in itself.”