Lena boys golf team finishes 5th at state

McVane leads way with top-10 individual finish
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

UPDATED: June 12, 9:05 a.m.

The Lena High School boys golf team placed fifth in Division 3 at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Boys Tournament on June 5-6 at Blackwolf Run - Meadows Course in Kohler.

Lena had a team score of 370, which is 82 shots over par, on the first day of competition. Lena posted a team score of 373 on the second day, giving the team a two-day total score of 743.

Cambridge (657) took first, while Mineral Point (685) was second. Sheboygan Lutheran (709) claimed third, while Newman Catholic (721) was fourth.

Braden McVane led the Wildcats over the two-day competition and ended up placing seventh as an individual with a total score of 165.

McVane was tied for 14th after a day of action after posting a round of 86. His second day round of 79 was tied for the second-best individual mark of the day.

“The first round I struggled around the greens and wasn’t too happy with my score, but the second day I came around and played some good golf,” said McVane. “It definitely feels good to have placed seventh out of the many guys.”

Mason Belongia was Lena’s next finisher, taking 26th overall after a total score of 185.

His round of 92 had him tied for 25th after the first day. Belongia then carded a 93 on day two.

“I was a little disappointed with my rounds as I shot a 92 and a 93,” said Belongia. “I’ve never played in a tournament with this much intensity so it was definitely a learning experience for me. My rounds make me want to grind harder for next year and hopefully do better.”

Mason Spice turned in a two-day total of 194 to finish tied for 36th place as an individual.

After a round of 93 on day one, Spice carded a 101 the second day.

“My two rounds were not great,” said Spice. “The first round my tee shots were excellent but I struggled to figure out the greens and I three-putted way too much.

“The second day it was the opposite, my tee shots were not as great and my short game was subpar. After hole nine I think the fatigue of walking that many holes got to me. It was a good learning experience though as it exposed what I need to work on for next year and to be a better golfer come this time next year.”

Drake Dionne finished five shots back of Spice. Dionne’s 199 placed him 39th as an individual.

Dionne fired a round of 99 on the first day before a 100 the following morning.

“I personally struggled really bad both of my rounds and just couldn’t get off the tee or stay out of the rough — so it was disappointing that I couldn’t golf like I know how to but at the end of the day, I’m moving on from it and if I’m back next year I can promise it will be better,” said Dionne.

Evan VanderZanden was Lena’s fifth golfer, taking 50th as an individual after a two-day total of 217.

VanderZanden was tied for 47th after a first round of 105 before a final round of 112.

“I did not golf good at all but that is all right because we made it to state. That’s all that matters,” said VanderZanden. “I learned that if you don’t putt good there, your score is not going to look good.”

While most of the Wildcats weren’t thrilled with the rounds they produced, the fifth-place finish as a team was an accomplishment, especially for making the school’s first-ever state appearance.

“We had no expectations coming into the tournament so a fifth is pretty cool in all our eyes, but I know we all have a lot more to show for ourselves and I think we can improve for next year,” said Dionne.

“Taking fifth place as a team means a lot because we have put so much time in together and it worked out,” said VanderZanden.

With the entire team being made up of sophomores and juniors, the team is hoping that this year’s state run can be a sign of even bigger things to come next spring.

“I think as a team we are really going to push to be back again next year since we won’t lose anyone,” said McVane.

Lena finished the state tournament with 40 made pars and three birdies.

The Wildcats performed best on par 4s, with the fourth-best average score among the eight Division 3 teams in competition. Lena had the sixth-best averages on par 3s and 5s.

“Going to state this year with the team is a perfect time to gain well-needed experience,” said Belongia. “The tournament gave the whole team some pressure, like the first tee box with around 100 people watching. We are a young team and are hopefully looking to get back next since we will have our starting five back for next year.”

“It also gave us an opportunity to learn the course and how to be better prepared if we do qualify next year,” said Spice. “This knowledge will be very important to try and make a run at the state title next year.”

Full state results can be found at www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Spring/Boys-Golf.

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