Kearney Catholic wins first-ever boys golf state championship

COLUMBUS, Neb. (KSNB) - After ideal playing conditions Tuesday, the weather did its part again for ‘Championship Wednesday’ at the four respective boys state golf championship sites, and in Columbus Kearney Catholic entered the day looking to etch the program’s name into state history.

KCHS’ Jackson Dunham entered Wednesday as the first round leader, and he kept his day one form on the front nine. He saved par early on the 3rd hole with a lengthy putt.

GICC’s Bowdie Fox gave chase, however, earning a birdie on the 3rd hole to claw away at Dunham’s lead. Amherst’s Austin Adelung also impressed Wednesday alongside St. Paul’s Sam Wells, KCHS’ Nash Malone and Fillmore Central’s Alexander Schademan.

Nonetheless, Jackson Dunham claimed the individual title and for the first time in Kearney Catholic history, the Stars are Class C Boys State Golf Champions.

“I have two gold medals right here,” Dunham said. “This is my individual one, I care about the team one more. Anything I can do for the team, just keep hanging banners in the gym is awesome.”

“I’ve been around the Kearney Catholic organization quite a while, and I knew they had some good teams,” assistant coach Doug Mitchell said. “Honestly, this is the first time I heard today that this is our first win for a state title, so it means a lot.”

“We’ve been talking about putting a banner on the wall a lot of the season, and so mission accomplished,” said KCHS Boys Golf Coach Darrell Dunham. “The boys did a great job.”

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