The focus of the ADM sports fan is understandably on the school’s athletes competing at the Iowa track and field state meet in Des Moines, but they weren’t the only Tigers gunning for a chance at a state title on Friday.
The ADM boys golf team is headed to state after tying for first at a Class 3A District Meet at Majestic Hills Golf Course in Denison.
The Tigers shot a 311 to tie for the lead with Humboldt, which took the tiebreaker by one stroke for the official district championship. It didn’t matter much, as the top two teams qualify regardless.
“Well, it’s pretty emotional because I’m so proud of this group of kids,” said head coach Chris Goodale. “For me, it’s a lot of pressure off. We knew what we could do, but unspoken, there was a lot of pressure on these kids. It’s one of those deals where I just have to know when to shut up and let the kids play, and so this is all on the boys. It’s a phenomenal group.”
ADM senior Brody Boston was medalist for the tournament, shooting a 72. The Tigers’ scoring four was rounded out by Joe Vest (3rd, 75), Ben Sandquist (78) and Ethan Herron (86).
Jacob Schumaker shot an 87, which was one stroke behind Humboldt’s fifth-scoring golfer, giving Humboldt the tiebreaker for the district title. Micah Moyer was ADM’s sixth-best golfer with an 88.
The moment was made even more special by the selfless nature of Goodale’s team. He referenced a hole-in-one shot by Vest that got Boston as pumped as if Boston had sank it, and Vest telling Goodale he wasn’t concerned about his playoff for second place (he ended up third) because “the team made it, and that’s all I care about.”
Sweetening the team accomplishment is the fact that the Tigers expected to be here at season’s onset. They endured a tough end to last season when they finished fifth at a district meet in Atlantic loaded with other talented teams and golfers.
A year later, they’ve reached their destination.
“A huge weight was lifted off their shoulders that they made it as a team, so now they know they’ve got another shot at … the big stage,” Goodale said. “It’s just an amazing accomplishment by these kids. They’ve dedicated their summers to this. That’s been their focus since, oh my god, probably seventh grade.”