Arriola, Olson earn medals at Paola Invitational

Louisburg senior A.J. Arriola watches a tee shot Monday during the Paola Invitational at Paola Country Club. Arriola shot an 84 and finished fourth.

PAOLA — The Louisburg golf team left with a little bit of hardware following the Paola Invitational on Monday at Paola Country Club.

Two Wildcats left with individual medals as both A.J. Arriola and Jackson Olson finished in the top 10, while the team finished just outside of the medals.

Louisburg finished third in the 8-team tournament with a 366. Paola won the team title with an 342 and Anderson County was second with a 348.

It was a big day for both Arriola and Olson as they earned their first medals of the season. Arriola, a senior, carded an 84 to take fourth overall.

Olson, a junior, put together a personal-best score on an 89 to finish in eighth.

“A.J. has the talent to always be shooting in the low to mid 80’s,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “Jackson broke 90 for the first time and I was super happy for him. He has really enjoyed the sport and has been working hard to get better.”

Louisburg senior Sam Wheeler saw a big improvement from his first tournament of the season as he shot a 95 to take 20th overall. Junior Nick Lancaster, who was competing in his first varsity tournament, recorded a 97.

“Nick Lancaster shot good for his first varsity tournament and first year on the team,” Burns said. “Sam Wheeler is on schedule to stay in the mid to  low 90’s and maybe high 80’s.”

Senior Ian Kirkpatrick shot a 102 to take 33rd overall and senior Bodie Lancaster finished 37th with a 109.

Anderson County’s Lane Richards shot a 77 to win the tournament. Paola’s Seth Aistrup and Aaron Koechner both carded an 81 to take second and third, respectively.

Louisburg returns to action Tuesday when it competes in the Osawatomie Invitational. Tee time is set for 1 p.m.