The Chieftains’ scores have been dropping each time they take the course, beginning with a 353 on April 20 at Lansing. They followed that with 343 at Osawatomie, 327 at Atchison and 323 at Ottawa. The latest low score broke the school’s four-player record the team had set six days earlier.

Tonganoxie finished third at the Ottawa tourney, two strokes behind second-place Paola and eight away from champion Ottawa.

THS coach Jared Jackson was encouraged by his team’s surge during the past few weeks.

“I was extremely proud of the effort to follow up with another good tournament,” Jackson said. “Sometimes after playing well at one tournament there is a tendency for a letdown. Honestly, I was prepared for that letdown, but the kids continued to exceed my expectations.”

Senior Dalton Lawson fired a career-low 75, good enough for fourth place at the tournament, to lead THS. That marked the first time this season freshman Colby Yates didn’t post Tonganoxie’s low score. Yates placed seventh at Ottawa with 79.

“Dalton, being the only senior, has really stepped up his game the last few tournaments,” Jackson said. “He got some new clubs a few weeks ago and is really starting to feel comfortable with them.”

Preston Putthoff shot an 84 for Tonganoxie, Tanner Hale finished with 85, Justin Jacobs tallied 89 strokes and Mitch DeHoff had 93 on his scorecard.

Jackson said he had been harping on the importance of the fifth and sixth golfers all season and their play on Monday was critical to the team’s success.

“Preston, who played as our number five, shot a career-best 84 and Tanner, a freshmen playing as our number six, shot a career-best 85,” the coach said. “Having a team with depth is important to continue to earn team medals.”

Next up, Tonganoxie competes Thursday at Perry Country Club. Then, the team travels Monday to Overbrook for the Kaw Valley League Meet.