Wessington Springs High School Boys Claim 2B Regional Championship Title
Today's first place win (235) at 2B regions held at Rocky Run Golf Course in Dell Rapids catapulted the Spartans team made up of Blake Larson, Brock Krueger, Luke Larson and JD Thompson to the state competition slated for June 3-4 in Brookings. PHOTO COURTESY BECKY THOMPSON
Monday’s compelling first place win (235) at 2B regions held at Rocky Run Golf Course in Dell Rapids catapulted the Spartans team made up of Blake Larson, Brock Krueger, Luke Larson and JD Thompson to the state competition slated for June 3-4 in Brookings.
Individually, all four boys qualified for state this year with Blake Larson winning the regional champion title with a 73. Krueger took fifth (79) with Luke Larson placing 10th (83) and JD Thompson placing 14th (85).
Spartans girls were also playing on the regional stage: Taylor and Kaitlyn Braun. Taylor Braun shot a 106, narrowly missing the top 15 cut off for state qualification. Kaitlyn Braun finished 24th with a 114.
“I am so proud of these girls, the time they’ve put in and the improvement and refinement they’ve seen this season,” said Head Golf Coach Regina Teveldal. “I look forward to next year as they’ll both be returning.”
Last year’s trip to state marked the first Wessington Springs Boys Golf team to qualify for state in nine years. Made up of the same members as last year, the boys have set high goals for themselves.
“They’ve been putting in a ton of time and it shows, not only with their game but also with the mental side of it and with working through the nerves that come along with regional and state meets,” Teveldal said.
On the heels of the last regular meet of the season in Madison where Krueger brought home 1st place (76), Blake Larson won 2nd (81) and JD took 6th (90), the Spartans proved with the regional win that “working on getting their nerves in check” was overwhelmingly successful.
Teveldal gives huge accolades to all members of the team but the two recently graduated seniors, Blake Larson and Brock Krueger have been playing under Teveldal’s direction since sixth grade.
“We didn’t have any junior high kids out that first year I coached and Blake and Brock were on the course practicing all the time,” Teveldal reflected. “We didn’t have enough to fill a full varsity team and didn’t have a lot of kids overall. We pulled them up into junior high and they’ve been playing since.”
Teveldal continually reflects back to sheer drive and relentless dedication demonstrated by the team.
“Back to their drive, they are on the course all day. These kids literally will do four rounds in an afternoon. They are nuts, they are out there as much as possible always wanting to get better,” she shared. “They are the first to tell the younger kids, golf practice will help you but if you really want to improve, you have to be out here other than this. It really rubs off on the kids below them and they make the extra effort to encourage the kids below them.”
Leadership from the two seniors is demonstrated with not only their state-bound younger teammates but also spills over to the JV golfers, the junior high golf team and even younger kids interested in golf. Teveldal points to specific examples including Blake Larson’s senior project, a youth golf camp he hosted at his home course, Springs Country Club. She shared that Krueger is always inviting younger kids to go out to play a round with him to pick up a few skills wrapped with a healthy dose of encouragement.
“Those two are just fantastic human beings. It chokes you up how special they are. They have very unique and gifted personalities,” Teveldal said. “Those two boys have led the way. I’ve had kids that have gone to state and led, but these two boys have really demonstrated leadership in a huge way.”
The younger members of the team, Luke Larson and JD Thompson bring their own unique gifts to the team as well, Teveldal said.
“Luke is the first kid to say ‘nice hit.’ He is talented as a golfer and does a lot of things that are special and important to encourage others when no one is looking,” the coach said. “JD is also encouraging when it comes to good healthy competition and lifting up his teammates.”
As they look to state, Teveldal is eager to see them compete together on the larger stage for a second year in a row, but knowing this is the last trip she will take with Krueger and Larson is bittersweet.
“They’ve been a gift to me. I say it over and over again. I am the lucky one that got to be with those boys and that team,” Teveldal reflects. “I’m going to miss them. Whatever those boys do, they’re going to be doing great and making their mark in the world.”