Independence High School golfer Ethan Small nearly repeated as state champion with a ferocious comeback in yesterday’s 4A final round.

 

He entered the final round in Hesston three strokes behind Wamego’s Regan Kueker, and shot a tournament-low five-under 66 to tie for first and force a playoff.

 

Small, who was Indy’s first state champion golfer since Tyler Sullivan in 2003 as a junior, was unable to win the playoff and finished his final outing as a Bulldog as the silver medalist.

 

Small’s IHS teammate Mason Lawrence also made it to the final round.  He shot an 81 to finish 19 shots over par, placing him 32nd in 4A.

 

Chanute’s Kobe Patterson finished with an 85, which put him right above Lawrence in 31st at +19.

 

And Ty Barnhart of Erie played in the 2A’s final round in Quail Ridge, he shot an 84 to finish +28 and in 27th place.