Cougars get better and better at 5A State

AFTON — The Ada High School boys golf team improved in every round on the way to a fourth-place finish at the Class 5A State Tournament at Shangri-La Resort.

The Cougars finished with a three-round total of 318-314-307—939.

Carl Albert dominated the field to win the Class 5A state championship with rounds of 305-287-293—885. Duncan was the runner-up at 299-306-313—918, while Booker T. Washington placed third with a 306-307-322—935, four strokes ahead of Ada.

“We finished off the season with a decent tournament. I think we all feel like we should have finished in the top two or three places, but we just got off to a slow start on Monday and could not make enough ground over the last two rounds to catch the third-place team,” Ada coach Robbie Powell told The Ada News.

Still, the veteran coach liked the way his team steadily improved throughout the tournament.

“The kids did improve every round, which is always what you want, but we needed to make up a few more strokes per round,” Powell said. “Overall, it was a good season with several tournament wins — both team and individual.”

Ada loses only one player to graduation, and Powell said he is eager to see how the program can build on this season’s success.

“It was a great season with a lot of success. The kids are a really good group that I have loved working with,” he said. “I look forward to next season to see if we can improve on this year’s results.”

Ada junior Drake Kanuch capped a strong season with an eighth-place finish in the medalist race after carding a 76-71-76—223.

A pair of Carl Albert golfers finished atop the individual standings. Christopher Crawford captured the Class 5A state title with a 70-73-64—207, while teammate Kathan Pierucci was runner-up at 71-66-72—209. Rhett Ballou of Elgin and Harrison Shaw of Booker T. Washington tied for third at 218.

Ada sophomore Brayden Curtis just missed out on a Top 20 finish, placing 23rd with rounds of 79-80-78—237.

Junior Kash Taylor-Rogers was next for the Cougars at 81-86-76—243, while senior Couper Taylor-Rogers finished one stroke back at 86-81-77—244. Brand Vest rounded out Ada’s scoring with an 82-82-93—257.

The state tournament field included 73 golfers.

Shout-outs

“I need to thank Oak Hills Country Club for all that they do. They allow us a great place to practice, and they allowed us to host a regional preview tournament and a regional tournament,” Powell said.

“I also need to thank everyone who donated to the golf program and Brandy Kanuch, who sees that the boys have plenty to eat and drink while playing. She is a great help.”

———o———

The Results

BOYS

Class 5A State

At Shangri-La Resort

Team Standings