by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington boys golf team officially became the 2022 Class 4A State Golf Runner-up at the Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton Tuesday. Due to heavy rainfall, day two was canceled. On Monday, Wellington was trailing Bishop Miege by four team points hoping to mount a comeback on the tournament’s second day. Those hopes were dashed with more than an inch of rain falling over the next 12 hours.

Wellington will thus bring home the state runner-up trophy, marking the third straight state team trophy. The Crusaders were state runner-up in 2019 and state champions in 2021. 2020, of course, was that pandemic year where everything was canceled. Many observers believe Wellington stood a very good chance of winning it all that year as well.

2022 Wellington golf team with state trophy. (Click to enlarge)

Some would say Wellington is unlucky. Four strokes most certainly would have been easy to make up, especially since Deitrek Gill, Wellington’s top golfer, did not have a great day on Monday.

But it was not to be.  As per rules by the KSHSAA, if the second day could not be played, then the first 18-hole day would determine the state championship. After Monday’s scores, Bishop Miege was leading with a 324. Wellington was second at 328 and McPherson third at 331. Wamego had a 342, Tonganoxie 348, Clay Center 358, Augusta 359, Chanute 362, Independence 368, Concordia 370, Louisburg 397 and Circle 407.

One could look at this as being a standard old-time KSHSAA golf tournament. All state championships were determined by a single-day 18-hole tournament up until 2020 when the event was expanded to a two-day 36-hole format.

“We knew going into day one that there was a chance we wouldn’t play on Tuesday,” said Wellington head boys golf coach James Ginter. “Even though we were disappointed we did not get the chance to play on Tuesday, we are extremely proud of our state runner-up finish and the amazing accomplishments of our young men.”

Wellington’s Deitrek Gill, who won the individual state championship in 2021, finished up his amazing high school career by placing fourth (see individual scores here). He shot a 77 on the 72-par course. He had two birdies and seven bogeys.

Wellington senior Brett Wyckoff (Shane T. Farley photo)

Brett Wyckoff shot an 81 for 11th place. Laken Smith scored an 83 for 16th place. Caden Lawrence finished up the team scoring with 87 for 23rd place.

The other two Wellington golfers were Owen Farley with an 89 and R.J. Clift at 93.

Drayton Cleaver of Chanute won the individual championship with a 74. Bishop Miege had players in the third, seventh, 13th, and 19th positions to secure the state championship.

The following is the full interview with Ginter, who has coached the Crusaders to quite a few of these team trophies:

Wellington senior Caden Lawrence.

Sumner Newscow – Obviously, winning state runner-up was bittersweet. What are your prevailing thoughts on the matter at the moment?

Ginter — My first thought would be what an amazing season we had this year. This group of young men has worked extremely hard all year long. To be the state runner-up is an amazing accomplishment. I am proud of this group for the way they prepared, the way they played, and the way they handled the unique circumstances of this year’s tournament.

The seniors will go down as one of the most successful groups of golfers in the history of WHS golf.  In the three possible state tournaments, they were able to play in, they finished state runner-ups twice and were able to win a state title for the first time since 1983. I’m proud of the way these young men have represented our community. 

SN – Did you feel as if your team performed well on Monday? Is there anything that you would have done differently? 

Ginter — I’m very proud of the way our team performed on Monday. Sand Creek Station Golf course is a very challenging venue. A team score of 328 was a good day one start. I think all of our guys felt like they could have done a little better, but that’s how the game of golf goes. If you’ve ever played the game, there’s always a hole or two you wish you could have back. 

But on the flip side, there’s probably a hole or two where you got a break. They usually balance themselves out. Every one of those young men gave everything they had on Monday. And as a coach, that’s all you can ask for.

Wellington senior Deitrek Gill.

SN – Deitrek Gill finished fifth. What did you think of his performance? 

Ginter — Deitrek battled all day long. I think he would tell you he didn’t have his A-game, but that’s what makes him so good. To be able to fire a 77 on that course when you don’t feel like you’re hitting the ball like you’re capable of is amazing. Since his freshman year, he has been a rock for our team.

Every time he was in the lineup he would post a score that helped our team. His leadership this year was invaluable to our success. Without his contributions and growth in maturity, we don’t achieve the successes we have had as a program over the last four years.  Deitrek has cemented his legacy as one of the best golfers in program history.

SN – Your lineup was remarkably consistent. Again Brett Wyckoff was your second-best golfer. Followed by Caden Lawrence and Laken Smith. What are your thoughts on the other golfers’ performance? 

Ginter — There’s not enough room in this article to talk about how I feel about this group of young men and what they mean to our program.  The consistent improvement that Brett, Laken, and Caden have shown over the last four years has been remarkable. Brett was so consistent for us this year. He gave us exactly what we needed in our lineup. He continued to improve as the year went along and was able to finish in the top 10 of 4A. 

Laken is another young man that has continued to improve each year in the program. He was a huge part of our state championship run last year and hung in there on Monday to help us stay in second.  He always kept us loose with his sense of humor. 

Wellington senior Laken Smith.

Caden was a big part of our run this year as well.  It’s been a part of our program all four years and it’s just continued to get better. After junior year, Caden and dedicated himself to the game, spending his entire summer in fall working hard to improve. I told him he’s probably our most improved golfer from start to finish. His front line on Monday was not what he was hoping for. He usually could have thrown in the towel, but instead got it out and had an incredible back nine that helped us secure that runner-up spot after day one. 

R.J. was a first-year player for us as a senior. He came out this year after never playing competitive golf and improved with every tournament. He was a great addition to our group and completed our team. 

Lastly and certainly not least, is our lone freshman Owen Farley.  This young man fought his way onto the varsity squad that was dominated by upperclassmen. He fit in perfectly and contributed to our team scores on a regular basis. He continued to improve throughout the year and just missed finishing in the top 20 as a freshman. A remarkable accomplishment for such a young man. Owen has an incredibly bright future ahead of him and will help lead our program in the future. 

Owen Farley with assistant coach Derek Harrison.

SN – Of course, you will never know, but going into day two you were four strokes behind Bishop Miege. How did you feel about your chances going in?

Ginter — I feel great about our chances going into Tuesday too. We are an extremely mature and experienced team and I know we would have played very well Tuesday. However, we knew going into day one that there was a chance we wouldn’t play on Tuesday. So, even though we were disappointed we did not get the chance to play on Tuesday, we are extremely proud of our state runner-up finish and the amazing accomplishments of our young men.

Wellington senior R.J. Clift.

SN – Do you have anything else to add? 

Ginter — First, I’d like to thank the best athletic director in the state of Kansas Luke Smith! All the time, energy and effort he’s put into Wellington Athletics is greatly appreciated. We will miss you and wish you only the best in your new endeavors.  Secondly, I’d like to thank Ben Heasty at the Wellington Golf Club.  We appreciate you putting up with us on a daily basis and all the little things you do that go unnoticed to help our program. Lastly, I’d like to thank Derek Harrison. Thank you for coming on as an assistant coach and providing a wealth of knowledge to our program.

This has been one of the most enjoyable seasons of my coaching career. The ride that these seniors have not only taken me but our community as well has been amazing. They are a wonderful group and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish in the future.

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