Ste. Gen Teams Fondly Recall Seasons
By ERIC X. VICCARO
EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM
The Ste. Genevieve High School boys’ and girls’ track and field and boys’ golf teams recalled their seasons during spring recognition night on May 25.
“It was a memorable season,” said Ste. Genevieve head boys’ golf coach Ryan Mueller. “We were able to play a full year, and this is one we will put in the record books. It was pretty awesome.”
Mueller was pleased to see the Dragons set group records throughout the season, including shooting 163 in a nine-hole dual match in the season finale versus Arcadia Valley and West County on May 5.
Ste. Genevieve boys’ golf finished third on many occasions, including in their own 10th Annual Dragon Invitational on April 14, the Mineral Area Activities Association conference tournament and at the Class 3 District 1 Tournament.
Junior varsity golfers received participation certificates, and Mueller also handed out four major awards. There were a school-record 21 boys out for golf this year.
Bryce Barley, who carded Ste. Genevieve’s low two-round total at a damp, cloudy Class 3 state tournament with a 185 (41-over par), was named most valuable golfer.
Luke Basler, who also qualified for the Class 3 state tournament, took home most improved varsity player honors.
Basler was perhaps the most consistent golfer this season, Mueller said. Grant Weiler also qualified for state, and he was recognized as well.
Zach Burr, a senior, was honored with the Spirit of the Game Award for his attitude and sportsmanship.
Gavin Huck, who pressed varsity all season long for a spot in the starting lineup, received most improved junior varsity golfer. Huck scored 88 during the Dragon Invitational, and his best nine-hole round was a 42.
Landon Rose and Barley will both continue playing golf at the next level; they have signed National Letters-of-Intent to play for Mineral Area College in Park Hills.
Alison Braun, who opened the ceremony with the invocation, received the outstanding distance runner on the Dragon girls’ track and field team.
“We are grateful to be able to be here tonight,” Braun said during the invocation, certainly not taking the 2021 season for granted — in light of losing 2020 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
First-year head boys’ track and field coach Corey Samples extolled the virtues of his team. Ste. Genevieve finished fifth as a team at the Class 3 District 1 meet and sixth overall at both the MAAA and sectional competitions.
“I knew we were going to have something special,” Samples said after watching Ste. Genevieve perform at the Frozen Invitational on March 20.
Taylen Bader was named outstanding track athlete, which includes a season-best time of 4:39.79 in the 1,600-meter run. Bader’s top time in the 800 is (2:04.96).
Austin McBride earned outstanding field athlete, which includes a season-best throw of 130-feet, 1-3/4 inches in the discus.
