Wildcat golf continues strong play at Paola, Piper tournaments

PAOLA — For part of the Paola Invitational, the Louisburg golf team was having its struggles and the Wildcats couldn’t seem to get into a rhythm. 

Whatever it was, something seemed to click. Louisburg rallied on the back nine and the Wildcats finished second overall with a 337 on April 8 at the Paola Country Club.

The Wildcats were able to sneak past Ottawa by one stoke for the runner-up spot. Paola won its home tournament with a 325.

“The guys, except Derek (Frederick), were off to a horrible start,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “It was the biggest comeback I have seen from any of my teams in recent years. I was super excited for all of them.”

Junior Sam Frederick responded with his best score of the season as he shot an 80 to medal fifth overall. Sophomore Matt Stohs also carded an 80, which was good for a sixth-place medal.

Another sophomore Derek Frederick, was the Wildcats’ third medalist of the day with an 84 as he took 11th overall.

Senior Cole Mynsted finished with a 93 to take 26th and junior Garrison Bloustine was 31st with a 96. Senior Drake Crooks rounded out the Wildcat lineup with as he took 58th with a 112.

Frederick medals at Piper

Louisburg didn’t have to wait long for its next meet as the Wildcats took part in the Piper Invitational on April 9 at the challenging Dub’s Dread Golf Course.

Derek Frederick recorded his third medal on the young season as he shot a 79 to take third overall. Topeka-Hayden’s Tagen Rodriguez and Basehor-Linwood’s Carson Youngblood tied for the tournament win with a 78.

“Derek is one of my best learners and kept his swing like I taught him and has applied it every year,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “He is shooting in the high 70’s and 80’s and I am super proud of him. He has medaled in every tournament so far and also has straight A’s. He is a great student-athlete.”

As a team, the Wildcats shot a 354 against some tough competition and took sixth overall. Basehor-Linwood won with a 324, Hayden was second with a 328 and Spring Hill took third with a 329.

Along with Derek Frederick’s score, Sam Frederick also shot a solid round for the Wildcats as he carded an 84, which was good for 14th overall.

“Dub’s Dread was harder, but finishing in the middle of all the 5A and 6A teams was OK with me,” Burns said. “Derek and Sam impressed me with their scores at a tougher course.”

Matt Stohs was third on the team with a 95 and finished in 38th, while Cole Mynsted was 41st with a 96. Josh Holtzen (104) and Garrison Bloustine (125) took 47th and 63rd, respectively. 

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