Jayhawk golfer earns state medal for second year in a row

Jayhawk golfer Celeste Schneider tees off during the Class 3-1A State Girls Golf championship in Emporia. For the second year, Schneider has medaled at the event. (Live Feed / Jayhawk USD 346)

By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

EMPORIA – After playing well all season, Jayhawk-Linn High School golfer Celeste Schneider tied for ninth place in the two-day Class 3-1A state championship tournament in Emporia that ended on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

It was the third trip to the state tournament for Schneider, who shot an 85 on Monday and an 89 on Tuesday for a total 174 strokes. The Emporia public golf course, where the tournament was held, is a par 71 course.

Her score on Monday put Schneider in fourth place overall and qualified her to continue in the second round on Tuesday. Her score on Tuesday left her in a tie for ninth but earned her a medal.

JLHS golf coach Chris Thomas with medal winner Celeste Schneider after day two of the tournament. (Live Feed / Jayhawk USD 346)

She qualified for the state tourney with a fifth-place finish at the regional tournament at the Caney Golf Club on Oct. 14. Under very difficult conditions, Schneider shot a 95 on a par 71 course. The winner of the regional managed to shoot an 83, and second-place finisher Harley Wade of Prairie View shot a 91 in that tournament.

As a freshman Schneider placed 25th in the tournament. Last year she medaled with a ninth-place finish, shooting a 36-over-par 177 on 36 holes at the state tourney in Hesston.

Although Schneider had a teammate from Jayhawk-Linn last year, this year she practiced with a golfer from Pleasanton, but attended at least one varsity meet without a team.