Keota Boys Team, English Valleys’ Eli Marsh Qualify for the 2024 State Golf Tournament

WAPELLO—On May 14, the Sigourney Savages, Keota Eagles and English Valleys boys golf teams made the trip to Heritage Oaks in Wapello for the 2024 District Golf Meet.

The Keota Eagles boys team secured their spot in the State Tournament in Ames with a score of 351, which was the second lowest at the tournament.

English Valleys’ Eli Marsh also punched his ticket as an individual, as she shot a 79 for the medalist honors.

Marsh spoke on securing his spot in the state meet with, “I am pretty excited. I wish the team would’ve gone. It sucks, but it is what it is. Grateful for the opportunity I have, and just excited to compete.”

When asked about how everything came together in this round for the final score, Marsh responded with, “It was a combination of everything I have been working on all year. I felt like at other meets, there was always something off, whether it be my irons or my putter, but at Wapello everything was there, and I played well.”

The Keota Eagles were led by senior Cole Kindred, who finished his day in eighth place with a 86. Billie Kindred, brother of Cole, also tallied an 86 for a 10th place finish.

The Kindred brothers were asked if there was an internal rivalry between the two that helped them propel their golf games to the next level. Senior Cole Kindred jokingly responded with, “There is not much competition because I am better than him. He tried to keep up with me.”

Junior Billie Kindred, equipped with his own quip, responded with, “That is false. We all know that when it is crunch time, I am clutch and you are not.”

Senior Tanner Waterhouse tallied an 88 on the day for 15th place. Lastly for the score for the Eagles, senior Sawyer Stout wrapped up his day in 91 for finish in 25th.

For the other two golfers, Brennan McGuire shot a 93, while Connor Strand ended his round with a 100.

When asked about the sense of accomplishment that came with qualifying for the state meet, senior Tanner Waterhouse responded with, “It feels really great because this is my second year playing golf.”

Senior Connor Strand shared a similar sentiment to Waterhouse with, “It feels really good because this is my first year playing golf. We got a really good group of guys, so I think we can get it done.”

Lastly, senior Sawyer Stout explained, “We have lost by two strokes two separate times to be able to make the state meet. We were almost in shock when we finished in second place, and finally qualified. It really is just a great feeling for all of us. I know Mr. Hill was happy.”

 The 2024 State Tournament will be held on Monday May 19 and Tuesday May 21. The first day will be a preliminary round, where teams and individuals will be reseeded for the following day.