Golfers had to play through about four or five holes before the rain stopped.

In the end, powerhouse Hayden (Topeka) claimed the team title, while Ottawa was one stroke behind in second.

The Wildcats won the event with a 317.

Tonganoxie improved on last year’s regional performance, shooting a 386 as a team and taking eighth, compared to a 10th-place finish a year ago.

Cody Sims led the team with an 89, while Luke Brown shot a 95. Chase Nowak registered a 100 and Mat Overbaugh carded a 102. Adam Reetz and Cody Owsley also participated.

Sims wasn’t too far from a state berth. Anderson County’s Garrett Beckman shot an 81 for the final state berth. Sims shot a 48 on the first nine holes and a 41 on the back nine.

“He had a chance if he would have played a little better on the front nine,” Neas said. “If a couple holes would have gone better for him I think he had a legitimate chance.”

The top two teams and the next five top individuals advance to the Class 4A state tournament Tuesday at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course in Garden City. Teams there will be

Tonganoxie made strides midseason and improved on last year’s team scores in nearly every invitational. With clinics on the horizon in the summer, Neas is eager to see what’s in store after the offseason.

“The goals are basically there for next year,” Neas said. “It’s been a good year of improvement and growth.

“I can’t wait to see how much these guys play this summer and see what they’re like next year.”

Team scores

1. Hayden 317, 2. Ottawa 318, 3. Anderson County 338, 4. Council Grove 340, 5. Burlington 341, 6. Perry-Lecompton 354, 7. Baldwin 359, 8. Tonganoxie 386, 9. Santa Fe Trail 392.

Top 10 results

1. Sigmund, OHS, 73; 2. Newcomer, HHS, 77; 3. Sam Wempe, HHS, 78; 4. Scott Wempe, HHS, 78; 5. Siegle, CG, 79; 6. Griest, OHS, 79; Weinman, CG, 79; 8. Reser, SFT, 80; 9. Schuh, BHS, 80, 10. Beckman, AC, 81.

THS results

Cody Sims, 48-41 89; Luke Brown, 44-51 95; Chase Nowak, 53-47 100; Adam Reetz 50-58 108.