Marquette golfers lead by six at state

MADISON – Marquette coach Brad Niswonger described the play of his No. 5 player Monday as care-free.

Ethan Graham, the player in question, didn’t dispute the notion.

“No one was following us. A couple of dads, a couple of parents. It was just me and (three) other golfers playing a round of golf. I didn’t feel the state pressure yet. Tomorrow is a big day.”

Big indeed.

The Hilltoppers own a six-stroke lead after one day of the WIAA Division 1 state golf tournament at University Ridge thanks, in part, to one of its least heralded players. When Graham completed his round, he shared the lead with Merrill sophomore Russell Dettmering at a 2-under 70. When the entire field was done, only Arrowhead sophomore Piercen Hunt had passed them, and then that was by only a stroke.

Niswonger has spoken of his team’s depth and Graham’s round was another example. It marked at least the fourth straight meet that a different player had posted the team's low round.

“When you talk about five players, you need something special to come from someone unexpected and today we had Ethan,” Niswonger said. “It was great.”

Graham set the tone for Marquette’s day as the first player off the course. His best round of the year prior to Monday was a 73 at Washington County when the team shot a season best 276.

He was followed by junior Jack Blair and senior Brady LeMonds, who each shot 4-over 76, and sophomore Jack Lutze, who fired a 77.

Marquette finished with a total of 299. Fond du Lac is six strokes back. Middleton and Arrowhead trail by seven strokes. Kettle Moraine is in fifth (307).

“Our guys can't take the foot off the gas," Niswonger said. "They’ve got to play another good, solid round of golf to win. We’re definitely not playing defensive tomorrow.”

The only player Graham didn’t get the best of Monday was Hunt, the defending champion.

Hunt's round was marked by eagles on Nos. 4 and 16.

“I was in the same spot last year. I was tied for the lead after the first round, so I’m not going to approach it any differently," he said. "I’m going to go in, play my game, but I’m not going to be playing for the individual trophy. I’m going to be playing for our team.”

The first round was less-than ideal for Arrowhead. It posted four triple bogeys, three that counted on the team’s Day 1 total. Hunt and senior Matthew Raab were the only players who didn’t struggle. The two were also the team’s top two performers with Raab shooting a 4-over 76.

“We’re all capable, so I don’t think there is any number we can’t overcome,” Hunt said of his team's deficit. “We’d like to be within shouting distance. Going into tomorrow, if we have a chance that is what we ask.”

Hunt’s immediate competition for the title is green. This is the first time at state for Graham and Dettmering and three other players among the top nine.

Among the exceptions are Wauwatosa senior Adam Garski and Pewaukee junior Andrew Clement. Garski, a fourtime qualifier, is two strokes back. His best finish was 17th two years ago, Clement, who is tied for seventh, finished 13th two years ago.

Division 2: Madison Edgewood led second-place Rice Lake by 25 strokes. Lakeside Lutheran junior Lukas Heckmann had the low round of the day for any division, a 3-under 68 that gives him a three-stroke lead of Edgewood senior Rory Gierhart.

Division 3: Fond du Lac Springs’ junior Doyle Kelly shot a 3-over 75 to lead the race for medalist by two strokes and to help his team finish Day 1 with an 18stroke edge over Madison Abundant Life/Country Day.