'Beeters do well at Eastern C Divisional, Back in Sidney for State C This Week

The Chinook Sugarbeeters concluded their 2022 season earlier this week at the Montana Class C State Golf Tournament. Full results will be in next weeks Blaine County Journal. The 'Beeters were in Sidney the previous week as well, competing in the first ever Eastern C Divisional. The Chinook Girls finished fifth in the team standing and sent four to the State C on Monday. Senior Braden Eoff was the lone 'Beeter boy to advance to the State C Golf Tournament.

The 'Beeter girls contingent includes junior Morgan Friede who will be making her second appearance at the state tournament. Senior Shay Hauer and sophomore Hallie Kralich also competed at the State C. Freshman Cayla Hofer qualified at the Eastern C Divisional but was unable to attend the state meet.

This year marked the first time for a Divisional at the Class C level and Eoff had some thoughts on the matter, "I think that this process is going to be good going forward because it allows for the number of participants to be constant as well as an extra level of competition."

Eoff competed for the third time at the State C, qualifying his freshman, junior and senior seasons. His sophomore season was lost do to cancellation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. "My freshman year I was honestly just happy to be there and to have the chance to compete. This year though I'm hoping that I can use my experience to hopefully be able to compete at a higher level and place well at the tournament."

In years past the 'Beeters have qualified a boys team as well, "This year is a lot different being the only boy because it means that everything is left to me and that's the only score I am worried about which is both good and bad. But I am just happy to be able to come back for a third time and be able to compete," stated Eoff.

The State C marks the final high school sporting event for the seniors and ones perspective can vary. Do they take the approach of just taking it all in and having fun or going for it and competing as hard as ever, "There is a little of both, because on one hand I want to enjoy my last experience of high school sports but on the other hand I do want to do my best and try my hardest," said Eoff.

Friede is the only other 'Beeter with state tournament experience and is happy to get another shot at it, "I definitely feel like I have a little more experience going into state this year but it's still a different course than what I'm used to." The girls are competing as a team as well and Friede had some advice, "I have told teammates to stay calm and not throw any clubs! It's (Sidney Golf Course) more challenging than the courses we normally play, but not as challenging as the Bozeman course (State C in 2021). I hope to play my best this week."

Hauer's senior season is capped off with her first appearance at the State C tournament. Having played the course a week earlier at the Eastern C in terrible conditions, she looks forward to another opportunity to play the course, "Last week was a bad experience with all of the rain and the weather. I'm excited to go back this week with a practice round and see what the course is really like."

Kralich will also be competing on the big stage for the first time, "I'm really glad that we got to play this course last week, even in the terrible weather. When we played last week it gave us the opportunity to navigate the course in the rain and wind. I'm thankful for that because it was probably the worst game possible, now it can only get better from here.