Two Rangers qualify for state meet

The Hill City High Ranger golfers competed in the Region 6B golf meet May 24 at Hart Ranch outside of Rapid City. Coach Byron Christian said all of the golfers showed significant improvement over the course of the day, playing in less than ideal conditions that included winds gusting over 25 mph.
The Ranger boys placed sixth out of nine teams, led by seventh grader Zane Messick, who placed ninth out of a field of 37 golfers.   He was followed by eighth- grader Leo Daiss in 15th place. Junior Cory Fischer and eighth-grader Adolph Tyler both turned in strong performances, rounding out the team.
Messick and Daiss both earned qualifying spots in the state meet, which will be held June 7-8 in Brookings.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing these two take on some of the state’s best,” Christian said. “I think they’re going to surprise a lot of people there!”
On the girl’s side, senior Sam Bambas narrowly missed qualifying for the state meet, finishing just two  places out. Junior Annie Johnson had the biggest jump after the turn, taking 10 strokes off her front nine total.
“I’m so proud of how these athletes stuck to their game plan today,” Christian said of the playing conditions. “It’s easy to lose focus in conditions like these, and it’s a testament to their mental toughness that our team was able to finish so strongly.”   
With several returning seniors and a host of underclassmen and middle schoolers, the future looks extremely bright for Ranger Golf.
“This has been a great season,” Christian said. “We have a lot of strength and experience going into next year, and I think you’ll soon see the Rangers leading the regions for both boys and girls.  These kids have dedicated themselves to achieving their goals. I’m so proud of the great program they are working together to build.”
For more information, including on the June 7-8 state meet in Brookings, contact Coach Christian at the high school.