Murrin returns from injury, wins at Chanute

CHANUTE -- Fort Scott High's golf team defeated Southeast Kansas League leader Chanute on its home course here Monday, led by the winning individual score of Cole Murrin, who had missed the last two tournaments with a knee injury,

The Tigers won their third title of the season, scoring a four-man score of 320 in this non-league tourney. The host Blue Comets shot 324 while Iola was a distant third with 340.

Murrin shot 36 on the front nine and 39 on the back for a total of 75. He tied with Chanute's Jeremy Gant (39-36) but was awarded the title on the scorecard playoff. This was his second tourney win of the season.

"Cole is playing injured, having a torn ACL, and is wearing a brace that limits his weight transfer," Fort Scott head coach Ken Klassen said. "But he's adjusting and played well enough yesterday to win. He's a tough, strong kid who never complains. We are hoping his knee holds out through the state contest. He has to endure some discomfort and pain, but Cole's a great competitor and will give his all to succeed. His victory yesterday was a credit to his ability and his great heart."

Beating Chanute on its home course is also something of a feather in the Tigers' cap. The Blue Comets hold a 22-stroke lead after three of the four SEK designated tournaments. The last one will be held at the Fort Scott Country Club on May 8.

"I am proud of the boys defeating Chanute on their home course," Klassen said. "Chanute has a commanding lead over us in the SEK going into our home meet next week, so our victory provided a confidence boost going into our last SEK tournament.

"Chanute is awfully strong this year. We'll also compete against them at the regional at Fredonia on May 12. Though we're not yet attaining that excellence as a team with which we left the course last year, we are scoring better and working hard to qualify for the state tournament as a team."

Chris Brown took third place for the Tigers with his score of 36-41--77, one stroke ahead of Pittsburg's Landon Williams (37-41).

"He did not strike the ball as well as he would like," Klassen said. "But Chris competed gamely, was able repeatedly to salvage par, and turned in a really good score. Chris is a really bright student and is able to analyze his game and score well even when he's a little off his best performance."

Paul Norris also won a medal for Fort Scott as he was ninth with his 43-40--83.

"Paul played very well except for a few holes, which were strung together in the middle of his round," Klassen noted. "He had the mental presence to persevere, get his game back on track and finish in ninth. Paul has consistently medaled all year in the tournaments we've played."

Dylan Renfro was the fourth score in the Tigers' team total with his 45-40--85, which tied for 12th.

"Dylan is now back in the mid-80's, where he was most of last year," Klassen said. "I hope to see him right around 80 by the regional. All in all a great day for the team."

Andrew Defebaugh scored a 51-46--97 for the Tigers while Evan Heiser 51-47--98.

Fort Scott's next varsity tournament is May 7 at Prairie View. The home tournament will be the next day at 3 p.m.

Team scores

1. Fort Scott (FS) 320 (Murrin 75, Brown 77, Norris 83, Renfro 85), 2. Chanute (CH) 324 (Gant 75, Hale 79, Miner 82, Gard 88), 3. Iola (IO) 340 (Walden 79, A.Ellis 84, C.Ellis 88, Manbeck 89),

4. Pittsburg (PT) 342 (Williams 78, J.Nichols 80, T.Nichols 91, Wenzel 93), 5. Parsons 362 (Thomas 85, Hoisington 88, House 93, LaForge 96), 6. Labette County 365 (Carter 89, Fentress 90, Arb 93, Boss 96),

7. Independence 376 (Botts 85, Goad 96, Webster 97, Berberick 98), 8. Chanute JV 417 (individuals not available).

Incomplete teams: Columbus (CL), Coffeyville.

Medalists

1. Cole Murrin, FS, 36-39--75; 2. Jeremy Gant, CH, 39-36--75; 3. Chris Brown, FS, 36-41--77; 4. Landon Williams, PT, 37-41--78; 5 (tie). Mitchell Hale, CH, 39-40--79 and Seth Walden, IO, 39-40--79;

7. Jon Nichols, PT, 43-37--80; 8. Skyler Miner, CH, 40-42--82; 9. Paul Norris, FS, 43-40--83; 10 (tie). Austin Ellis, IO, 41-43--84 and Payton Kitch, CL, 40-44--84.