LUSK — This past Friday and Saturday, 76 2A golfers met in Lusk for the 2017 Spring Championships and Conference meet. Students played the Niobrara Golf Course under perfect weather conditions, temperatures in the 80s and light winds to keep the golfers comfortable during a very competitive event. This spring event had 15 more players than the fall state meet, making it even more challenging.

The boys’ team event was won by Tongue River with a 740 two-day total. Next was 2A State Champion Wright at 751. Two teams tied for third place — Sundance-Hulett and Kemmerer at 767.

Fourth went to Lovell at 789. Fifth was Lusk at 840. Rounding out the team event was Moorcroft at 869 and Big Horn 929. Midwest and Upton both brought golfers to compete for the individual events.

The individual title went to the defending state champion senior Dallas Millin of Wright with a 145. Two Ranger golfers made the top 10; Ty Hysell with rounds of 90 and 95 for a total of 185, earning him eighth place; and Corbin Ourada, with rounds of 95 and 91, tying for ninth place with a total score of 186.

Next for the Rangers was Rayce Kindschuh, who shot 103 and 94 for 197, earning 14th place. Freshman Ben Wergin came in with rounds of 98 and 102 for a 200-stroke total and finished 17th. Rounding out the team scoring was Curtis Ferrarini, who shot 102 and 120, totaling 222.

The Ranger girls’ team competed also —  they finished fifth out of the eight teams in the event with a 907 two-day total. Leading the girls was Jenna Krell, who shot rounds of 141 and 143 for a total of 284. Next was Aubree Burris, shooting rounds of 146 and 149 to end with 295. Catherine Rily shot 168 and 160 for a 328 two-day total.

The 2A Southwest Golf Conference was also held last weekend. The boys’ and girls’ teams were both crowned conference champions. The boys won easily over Lovell. The girls edged Lusk by five strokes to win the girls title.

“This was a great meet for both the boys and the girls,” Kemmerer golf coach Zem Hopkins said. “The boys had a great chance to win this entire event. With four holes remaining, they were close to the lead but we did not finish strong and ended up third. This was a big learning curve for the boys with four of the five golfers back for next year. We have a great chance to win a championship. Individually all the boys had great efforts. Curtis gave the team a boost on day one with his best career round helping the Rangers stay tied for third. The effort by all the boys the next day was amazing..

“The girls had a great meet,” Hopkins continued. “They knew they had a chance to win the conference if they could outlast Lusk and they came through with a great team effort. I was very proud of how they kept trying and competing as hard as they could. The future for the Ranger boys is bright. They have a great chance to win it all next year but they will have to work and improve for this to happen. They all understand this and I believe we’ll be ready in the fall to make it happen.”

The team would like to thank the staff at the golf course for all of their support and help this spring season. It has been tough just getting the course playable because of the weather conditions but they have worked hard to allow the team to get out and play. The new staff in the clubhouse has been extremely supportive. They are working hard to get the clubhouse up and running this spring.