Wiese tries to defend title: Class A and B state golf previews

Howard High School's Cal Wiese tees off today at Hart Ranch Golf Course in Rapid City with the hope of claiming his second Class B boys' state golf title.

The two-day tournament begins today and runs through tomorrow and Wiese was able to play a practice round Sunday.

"Good thing it was a practice round," Wiese joked.

Howard's team is hoping it can improve on last season's fourth-place finish.

"Our goal is to be in the top three or four," head coach Alan Wiese said.

Garretson is the defending team Class B champion and many coaches agreed that Deuel, which finished third last year, has a solid team that could make a run for the title.

"It's high school golf," Platte-Geddes coach Jody Gittings said. "There's some pressure at the state tournament."

Gittings said he expects his boys' team to improve on its 13th-place finish from a year ago. The Platte-Geddes boys' team had the eighth-best region tournament score in Class B.

Kimball head coach Jan Miedema said his team is looking to improve on its finish from a year ago as well.

In 2011, Kimball took sixth place at the state meet.

"I think we've got a good chance to improve," Miedema said. "I think we could be up there with the top teams."

Miedema said Cal Wiese has to be the favorite in the individual side of the tournament and hopes that Kimball junior Russell Pick can finish toward the top.

"Russell can get a top-five finish this year," Miedema said. "He's swinging the club pretty well."

Freeman's Aaron Lickteig is another player expected to finish well at the state meet.

Lickteig is a two-time state runner-up, finishing second in 2009 and 2011.

On the girls' side, many coaches expect South Central to have a host at a title.

Last year, South Central took seventh-place at the Class B girls' meet.

"South Central's pretty steady," Gregory coach Mike Gassen said. "They're all capable of shooting less than 90."

Gassen said he hopes Gregory senior Taylor Anshutz can make a run at an individual title.

"She could have a shot at it," he said. "She plays good steady golf and doesn't hurt herself. You never know in a state tournament."

Gittings said Platte-Geddes' girls' team is hoping its consistency can continue on a tough course.

"The girls have been steady all year and we're hoping to take a few strokes off," he said.

The Class B girls compete today through Tuesday at The Elks Club in Rapid City.

"The fairway is going to be a premium," Gittings said. "You can get in a lot of trouble if you miss."

Parkston girls look to finish atop Class A

After a second-place finish at the Class A girls' golf state tournament last year, Parkston is looking to improve.

"We're feeling pretty good," head coach Eric Norden said. "It's going to be beautiful weather and we're looking forward to the opportunity to golf."

The Class A girls' tournament begins today and runs through Tuesday at Southern Hills Golf Course in Hot Springs.

Parkston's Logan Wagner finished in a three-way tie for third place at last year's tournament and Jordan Bormann finished in a tie for eighth.

Both were beaten in this year's regional tournament by another Parkston golfer.

Sydney Bormann won the Region 3A individual title while Jordan Bormann finished second and Wagner took third. Parkston won the team title by 45 strokes.

"They all have a chance if they can golf their game," Norden said.

"It's been good for us all year that they've been pushing each other."

Parkston's score at the regional tournament was the second-best score in the state for Class A.

Defending champions Sioux Falls Christian had the best score.

Norden said Parkston hopes to get over the hump and defeat Sioux Falls Christian, but also expects Hot Springs to be in the mix.

"With this being their home course that always gives them an advantage," he said.

Norden said he hopes the experience from last year's state tournament will help his squad finish at the top.

Wagner coach Jim Jaeger said he thinks Parkston has what it takes.

"I think they're by far the standout team," he said.

In the individual title hunt, Jaeger said the Bormann girls are going to be tough to beat, but he expects Devon Brecke to be in the mix.

"She hasn't been out for a couple of years but she placed as an eighth-grader and as a freshman," Jaeger said.

As for Wagner's expectations in the team competition, Jaeger said he hopes to card less than a 380.

"That might not place us as a team," he said, "but that's pretty respectable."