Waldron will represent Clear Lake in Class 3A State Golf Meet

Clear Lake’s Dane Waldron will return to the Class 3A State Golf Meet for the fourth time this week, but the Lion team was denied.  The Lions, who have qualified for State in 13 of the past 15 years, finished third at Friday’s District Meet held at Waverly.

Waldron carded a 68 to share medalist honors with Webster City’s Avery Fuhs.  

Decorah and Webster City finished as the top two teams with 293 and 296 respectively.  Gilbert tied with Webster City at 296, but the fifth score tiebreaker gave the Lynx a one-stroke victory and a State berth.  The Lions were fourth with a 299.  Oelwein rounded out the field with 343.

“It’s hard to be really disappointed with these scores.  Usually anything under 300 and you are an automatic State qualifier,” said Clear Lake Coach Eric Perry.  “This was easily the toughest and most talented District in the state.  There’s nothing to be ashamed of, we lost to the best competition in the state.”

The coach said Waldron played great at Districts and he expects the senior to challenge for the 3A title.  

“He has worked hard year.  He works 12 months a year on his golf game, stays in great shape and uses his head on the course,” said Perry.

Waldron, who was fifth last year at State and tied for second as a sophomore, tees off at noon Friday, May 29, at Spring Valley in Livermore.

Thomas Storbeck fired a 73 for the Lions and was just a couple of strokes short of advancing to State himself.

“He played like a state qualifier,” said Coach Perry about the sophomore.  “He plays even par down the stretch for us all the time.”

Another sophomore, Kyle Calaguas, was third for the Lions with a 78.  

“Kyle is growing up and learning how to play competitive golf,” said the coach.

Seniors Tanner Storbeck, Austin Rurup and Jon Carew came in with scores of 80, 82 and 83 for the Lions.

“Tanner, Austin and Jon played solid and were there for us when we needed their leadership,  great individuals.  They will be missed in our program along with Anthony Piscopo,” added Perry.  “We accomplished a lot this year.  Our overall record was 58-17, with so many successful outcomes and memories with great student/athletes.  We represented our community with respect and honor.”