Blair High School golfer Jack Schroeder improved with the weather Thursday during the second round of the NSAA Class B State Championships in Gering.
After carding 97 strokes across 18 holes May 28, the senior Bear finished with just 86 swings to close out his season in the sun. Coach Ross Udey said precipitation fell for at least 9-10 holes during the first day of competition at Monument Shadows Golf Course.
“It wasn't just a sprinkle,” he explained. “It rained.”
Schroeder, as a result, finished just three of his first state tourney holes with made par putts.
“I couldn't do anything when I was soaking head to toe,” he said.
The weather and golfer bounced back, though, as the BHS qualifier earned 70th overall with 183 strokes total. The senior said the course views and difficulty, which was a step down from the district tournament at York Country Club, were the best parts of his state experience.
“It's definitely a course to remember,” Schroeder said.
To improve his 18-hole score by 11 strokes Thursday, the golfer finished seven holes even or better.
“Consistent,” Udey said of the round.
Though Schroeder had his struggles on Monument Shadows' par-5 holes, he was strong on the greens.
“He made some nice putts,” Udey said. “He really did.”
The Blair standout carded his lone birdie on the par-3 17th hole. After a successful tee shot, Schroeder meant to set himself up for an easy par putt with his approach shot. Swing No. 2, however, wound up with a golf ball at the bottom of the cup.
“It just somehow went in,” the senior said.
The Class B Championships marked the end of Schroeder's prep career. He didn't go out for golf as a junior, but returned as a senior to have a good time. To his surprise, he earned a trip to Gering with a career-low 81 in York.
“Last thing I was expecting,” he said Thursday at the start of a long drive home from state.
Coach Udey will go on without his graduated qualifier, but said he hopes to get back to Monument Shadows with more Bears for another postseason tournament in 2026.
Elkhorn North wins state title
Blair's fellow Eastern Midlands Conference team, Elkhorn North, won the Class B state title Thursday with 605 strokes across 36 holes. The Wolves took 12 less swings than second-place Norris — another EMC school — and 20 less than third-place Lincoln Pius X.
North's Andrew Nietfeldt, a junior, was the individual medalist, too, besting York's Jaxson Hinze on the first playoff hole. Both golfers finished their first 36 with identical 3-under par 141s.
NSAA CLASS B BOYS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
May 28-Thursday at Monument Shadows Golf Course
Team standings: Elkhorn North 605 strokes, Norris 617, Lincoln Pius X 625, Bennington 626, Scottsbluff 628, Elkhorn 632, Waverly 642, McCook 643, Adams Central 643, Elkhorn Mount Michael 661, Lincoln Christian 678, York 678.
Top-10 medalists: 1, Andrew Nietfeldt, Elkhorn North, 141 strokes (won on first playoff hole). 2, Jaxson Hinze, York, 141. 3, William Barth, Gretna East, 144. 4 (tie), Grey Klucas, Waverly, and Grady Friedrichsen, Elkhorn, 148. 6 (tie), Karter Negus, Central City, Kaden Ellis, Elkhorn North, 150. 8, Reid Loop, McCook, 151. 9 (tie), Tyler Nietfeldt, Elkhorn North, and Brenson Underwood, Adams Central, 153.
Blair result: 70, Jack Schroeder, 183 strokes.
