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La Follette's 1-2 punch sets individual pace in Big Eight golf

EVANSVILLE — Andrew Steinhofer and Max Hosking have pushed each other on the golf course all season.

The two Madison La Follette High School stars have finished 1-2 in virtually every tournament they’ve entered.

Things stayed true to form in the Big Eight Conference meet here Thursdayt at Evansville Club.

Steinhofer, a junior, fired a 3-under par 69 to claim medalist honors. Hosking, a senior and Northern Illinois University recruit, was a shot back after a 2-under 70. Madison Memorial’s Jason An was third after an even-par 72, while defending champion Mike Battista of Madison West was fourth after firing a 76.

Memorial won the team title with a 309 total, giving the Spartans a season sweep of the dual meet and tournament championships. Middleton was second at 317, while Janesville Craig tied Madison West for third at 324.

Janesville Parker posted its lowest round of the season—a 331—in finishing tied for fifth with Beloit Memorial.

Craig’s Charlie Roherty had the city’s lowest round with a 77, while Parker’s Andrew Tearman and Sam Larson each carded a 78. Roherty was the conference medalist two years ago.

Steinhofer was a model of consistency in earning medalist honors. He missed only one fairway and his card was bogey-free.

“It always helps when you keep the ball in the fairway, and I was able to do that,” Steinhofer said. “I didn’t putt too well, but when I needed to make one, I did.”

Steinhofer shot a record-tying 66 at the University Ridge Course in Verona two weeks ago en route to a tournament title. That’s important because University Ridge is the site of the WIAA state meet.

“I feel like I’m playing my best golf of the season right now,” Steinhofer said. “Obviously, with the success I had at the Ridge earlier this year, I would love to play the course again. But first I have to get there, and that starts with playing well at the regional meet next week.”

Hosking, who was second at the Ashenfelter Invitational at Janesville Riverside, was pleased with his score but not with his driver.

“I think I hit only four fairways the whole round,” Hosking said. “Other than that, I played pretty well.”

Craig continued its season-long standard of finishing in the lower 320s. Roherty’s 77 was good for seventh-place overall, while Mike Tabbert added an 90.

“Our goal is to get back to state,” Craig coach Mike Wesling said. “If we can continue to shoot anywhere from 320 to 325 at the regional and sectional meet, we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

Larson and Tearman bounced back from disappointing front nines to post an even par 36 (Larson) and a 1-over 37 (Tearman) on the back nine.

“Anytime we go out and shoot our low score of the season at the conference meet, I’m very happy,” Parker coach Ron Cramer said of the Vikings’ 331 total. “Hopefully, that’s a sign of things to come.”

Craig and Parker will compete in the Division 1 regional meet at Oak Ridge in Milton on Tuesday.

Big Eight

boys golf

At Evansville GC (Par 72)

TEAM SCORES

Madison Memorial 309, Middleton 317, Janesville Craig and Madison West 324, Janesville Parker and Beloit Memorial 331, Sun Prairie 333, Madison La Follette 335, Madison East 343.

MEDALIST LEADERS

1. Andrew Steinhofer (La Follette), 69; 2. Max Hosking (La Follette), 70; 3. Jason An (Memorial), 72; 4. Mike Battista (West), 76; 5. Andrew Cobb (Sun Prairie), 76; 6. Quinn Moe (Memorial), 77; 7. Charlie Roherty (Craig), 77; 8. Sam Larson (Parker), 78; 9. Andrew Tearman (Parker), 78; 10. Nick Luebke (Middleton), 78.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Memorial (309)—Jason An, 35-37—72; Quinn Moe, 41-36—77; Sean Regan, 41-39—80; Stephen Lange, 42-38—80.

Middleton (317)—Nick Luebke, 40-38—78; Ted Gerner, 40-38—78; Mike Schilling, 40-40—80; Sam Stone, 44-37—81.

Craig (324)—Charlie Roherty, 39-38—77; Mike Tabbert, 41-39—80; Mike Hainstock, 44-40—84; Jeff Hesse, 44-39—83.

West (324)—Mike Battista, 42-34—76; Nick Welch, 41-42—83; Gus Griffin, 41-38—79; Howie Statz, 46-40—86.

Parker (331)—Sam Larson, 42-36—78; Andrew Tearman, 41-37—78; Eric Benzel, 48-39—87; Ron Ludwig, 43-45—88.

Beloit (331)—Eric Lang, 44-42—86; Ethan Dahlberg, 42-37—79; Nolan Meier, 42-40—82; Brody Mauel, 44-40—84.

Sun Prairie (333)—Andrew Cobb, 38-38—76; Tommy Schoewe, 42-42—84; Tyler Cobb, 46-40—86; Drew McIlquham, 48-39—87.

La Follette (335)—Max Hosking, 34-36—70; Andrew Steinhofer, 36-33—69; Jacob Feherstein, 53-45—98; Jordan Berle,

East (343)—Kasey Kinney, 45-40—85; James Wanke, 44-42—86; Otto Kirst, 44-41—85; Tripp Davis, 46-41—87.