Lukasek shot an 86 to lead the Chargers boys golf team, which took fourth on the day.

Lukasek had six pars to finish 15 over par Monday.

“[I aimed] for at least an 85, I shot 86, which I’m not mad about, just one shot,” Lukasek said. “Definitely struggled off the tee. I think I hit two or three fairways today, which was pretty unfortunate, I struggled with the duck hook. But other than that, a lot of punches today, but really scrambling to make bogey a lot today. Throw in a few pars, missed a few birdie putts, but other than that, really scrappy round. It worked out.”

This was the third and final leg of the tournament, and while it was important for the Chargers to finish the conference tourney strong, it was more important to use the 18-hole final leg to get things on track ahead of the section tournament, which begins May 21 for the Section 3AA boys at Oakdale Golf Club in Buffalo Lake.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Owen Birkholz putts on Monday during the final leg of the South Central Conference Golf Tournament at New Ulm Country Club.

“I’ve never played Oakdale, but I think next Monday we have a meet there that coach scheduled,” Lukasek said. “I’ve asked my brother [Nathaniel] about it, he said it was probably a little easier than North Links [in North Mankato], which is probably a relief, but the fact that we moved up a section is a little intimidating. But I’m excited to just go out and have fun, that’s the main goal.”

The MVL boys finished with a 359 on the day, which was won by Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, which shot a 335. The Le Sueur-Henderson boys turned in a 346 for second, followed by St. Clair/Mankato Loyola (349), MVL and Maple River (420).

LSH’s Nathan Tews was the boys medalist on the day with a 76, followed by LCWM’s Charlie Gengler (78) and Abe Madson (81), who tied with St. Clair/Loyola’s Jon Pierce for third. LSH’s David Draheim took fifth on the day with an 83, while St. Clair/Loyola’s Sam Freitag shot an 85 for sixth. Maple River’s Noah Walters turned in an 87 for eighth, while MVL’s Owen Birkholz carded an 88 to tie with LCWM’s Eli Dahl and Jackson Lynch for ninth. MVL’s Jacksen Gerdts shot a 90 to tie for 12th with LCWM’s Brody Herbst.

While Lukasek led the MVL boys, Birkholz had the highlight of the day. Not only did he birdie the third hole, he also had an eagle on the 18th hole.

Birkholz wasn’t the only one with an eagle on the day as Freitag followed up a rough 5-over-par 18th hole by sinking an eagle on Hole 1. Tews also had an eagle on Hole 1 and three birdies on the day.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Minnesota Valley Lutheran senior Logan Paulsen watches his putt find the hole on the 13th hole Monday during the final leg of the South Central Conference Golf Tournament at New Ulm Country Club.

MVL’s other boys in the final leg were Colby Doering (95, 19th), Caleb Hunter (96, 20th) and Logan Paulsen (101, 23rd).

Overall for the tournament, LCWM won the SCC championship, while LSH was runner-up. The individual SCC champion was Gengler.

Lukasek finished eighth overall for the tournament, while Gerdts finished 12th.

MVL GIRLS TAKE 4TH

The girls side of the final leg was won by St. Clair/Loyola, which had a score of 380. LSH took second on the day with a 401, while Maple River took third (467), MVL took fourth (471) and LCWM was incomplete.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Minnesota Valley Lutheran senior Scarlet Heldt watches a shot of hers during the final leg of the South Central Conference Golf Tournament on Monday at New Ulm Country Club.

The girls medalist Monday was Maple River’s Rebecca Walters, who carded an 84. St. Clair/Loyola’s Celia Johnson shot an 86 for second, while LSH’s Addison Fahey shot a 91 for third, St. Clair/Loyola’s Brooklyn Meng shot a 93 for fourth and Maple River’s Kylie Walters took fifth with a 94. LSH’s Muriel Hilgers carded a 98 on the day for sixth, while St. Clair/Loyola’s Adyson Fox shot a 100 for seventh, St. Clair/Loyola’s Finley Roe shot a 101 for eighth, LSH’s Anna Kawatski had a 105 for ninth and LSH’s Kendra Biedscheid tied with St. Clair/Loyola’s Madi Linder for 10th with 107s.

MVL featured a team full of seniors, led on the day by Scarlet Heldt, who carded a 112 for 14th. Annika Lowrey was close behind with a 113 to tie for 15th with LSH’s Khloe Kahle. Lowrey was unable to pick up any pars on the day, but she did have a highlight shot on the 14th hole after a tough tee shot went far right of the green. Her next shot banked off the flag pole and settled roughly eight feet from the hole. After just missing the par putt left, she was able to tap in for bogey.

MVL’s final two golfers at the meet, Kara Hinrichsen and Eden Isaksson, took 17th (116) and 19th (130), respectively. MVL senior Eden Grubbs, one of MVL’s top girls golfers in the previous two SCC meets, was unable to compete Monday due to illness.

Overall for the tournament, LSH won the SCC championship, while St. Clair/Loyola was runner-up.

Rebecca Walters was the individual champion.

Staff photo by Travis Rosenau Minnesota Valley Lutheran senior Annika Lowrey watches a chip shot of hers on Hole 12 at New Ulm Country Club Monday during the final leg of the South Central Conference Golf Tournament.