SO CLOSE

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

 

WACO - Copperas Cove junior Caden McAnally finished just one stroke out of a tie for the final qualifying spot for regionals with his two-day total of 164 at the Boys’ District 12-6A Golf Tournament held Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

“He played well today,” said Copperas Cove head golf coach Ryan Youngblood. “I think he made a 40-footer. Putting was key today for him. He always hits the ball well. His putter hasn’t been working for him the last couple of times but he definitely putted well today.”

 

McAnally improved eight strokes on his day one total despite dealing with treacherous wind conditions at the flat Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco on day two. He followed his 86 on Tuesday with a 78 on Wednesday to finish one spot behind Midway’s Austin May and Belton’s Chris Abernathy who tied at 163 for the final individual qualifying spot.

 

Austin Firth of Harker Heights locked up the first individual qualifier with his total of 161.

 

McAnally climbed from 22nd-place after day one to 13th-place on day two. The top two golfers, not already on a qualifying team, advanced to regional and nine of the top 12 scores were from members of Midway or Belton – the two team qualifiers. McAnally finished just two spots out of qualification.

 

McAnally, along with teammates Travis Dewald (173), Dustin Dean (175) and Bryce Anderson (178) combined for a 690 total to finish fifth overall. Bryce Ranes added a 195 to the Cove I scorecard.

 

Travis Dewald had the best outing for the Dawgs on day one with an 85 for 20thplace overall but his 88 on Wednesday dropped him to 21st overall with the 173.

 

Donovan Copeland-Ritchie led the Cove II team to a sixth-place finish. He followed up an 87 on day one with a 99 on day two for a combined 186 followed by DJ Dewald (196), Marcus Ortiz (197) and Justin Hoosline (204) for a total of 775. Bobby Lopez added a 206 to the Cove II scorecard.

 

Midway’s team of Daniel Seibert, Parker Anderson, Tyler Whitley Mason Mikeska and Austin Clark won the team portion of the tournament with a combined score of 616 with Belton (William Payse, Dalton Hankamer, Robert Arnold, Walker Reyes and Landon Squiers) following with a 623 for the two team qualifiers.

 

Midway’s Siebert posted the top score of the tournament with a 149.

 

Youngblood is pleased he was able to field two teams for the tournament and knows the invaluable experience will help in the future.

 

“The numbers help you in competition,” he said. “We’re losing two seniors but the sky is the limit for the younger guys. The time they are willing to put in it will dictate the rewards they get from it.”

 

Youngblood was pleased with his player’s fight although he was hoping for a higher finish.

 

“They did their best,” he said. “Nobody laid it down. Conditions were windy the second day. It was an eye-opening experience for those that haven’t been here before so it gives them something to build on.”

 

The Bulldawgs lose seniors Travis Dewald and Anderson but return the other 80 percent of the boys’ squad.

 

“This is my second year so I wish I had them longer,” said Youngblood. “It’s an enjoying experience to watch someone go from 16 to 18 (years old). That’s a real crucial part of a young man’s life and I’d like to think that I gave them some advice they can take with them in college and in life.”

 

Youngblood’s hoping the emergence of McAnally and fellow youngster Dustin Dean will rub off on the rest of the squad when they return to action next year.

 

“When you have somebody that can break the mold of what you’re used to doing, it gives everyone else hope and confidence,” he said. “We’re competing every day at practice and the competition is close so it can only motivate them.”