For the second straight year, Dakota Valley has won a boy's state golf championship. Even though the Panthers were the defending champions coming into this season, they graduated three seniors from last year’s squad. The season presented some struggles, but when it mattered the most Dakota Valley locked in to defend their crown.
The Panthers finished +23 as a team at the state tournament – a four-stroke victory over second place Vermillion, who finished with +27.
“I’m a little bit in shock. Vermillion is an unbelievable team,” said Dakota Valley head coach Rodd Slater. “We’ve been behind them all year by several shots, but the kids worked hard. I’ve got four kids that have never played in a state tournament. I don’t know what to say. They believed in themselves. They’re highly confident, because of how hard they work, and they pulled off the shots in the last nine holes to secure the victory.”
Earlier in the year in North Sioux City, Vermillion defeated Dakota Valley by 17-strokes. At the state tournament, the tides changed in day one as Dakota Valley held a six-stroke lead after round one. Going into day two, coach Slater gave his team a pep talk.
“I told the boys earlier in the day, there will be a point in the round where you feel discouraged and we’ll be in tough shape – either as an individual or a team. That is the exact moment you need to focus, because we’re probably a lot closer to winning than losing,” he told. “So, we had a backup on hole thirteen and we had an opportunity to talk briefly. We got refocused and all of the sudden they started hitting the greens, making putts, and they overcame some bad holes.”
Matt DeBeer placed second overall in the individual standings with a score of +1. Tate Cornelsen then finished in seventh with +7, while Cash Slater and Sean Meiske both tied for ninth with +10. Atticus Slater finished with +12, which earned him the sixteenth spot.
“I’m really proud of Matt DeBeer. He is a four-time state participant. He moved here as a freshman and since he joined the team our team has finished third, third, first, and first,” told coach Slater. “It’s a shame he graduates, we’re really going to miss him, and he had a fine day today getting second in the tournament. I’m really proud of him.”
It’s a championship well earned by Dakota Valley. They were able to funnel out all distractions, lock in, and play golf at a high level when it mattered most.
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