Eagles’ Arnold, Chargers’ Deitrich close prep golf careers with strong finishes

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Blake Arnold ended his high school golf career in fitting fashion.

Nolan Deitrich did, too.

Arnold, the Liberty senior, made a birdie on the par-4 18th hole Saturday at Prairie Vista Golf Course, putting a cap on a round of 7-over 79 that left him tied for 13th with a 156 total at the Class 1A boys state tournament.

Meanwhile, Deitrich, the Illini West senior, shot even par over his final nine holes, including making an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole, and carded a 2-over 74 to finish tied for 16th individually at 157 and push the Chargers to a sixth-place team finish.

In their first state tournament appearance as a team in school history, the Chargers posted a 331 on Saturday and finished with a 675 total. Effingham St. Anthony won the state championship with a 617 team score.

Dietrich, who shot an 83 in Friday’s opening round, charged back by shooting a 2-over 38 on the opening nine Saturday. He made a birdied on the par-5 fourth hole and erased back-to-back bogeys with his eagle at the seventh. 

Illini West sophomore Nick Bruns shot a 79 and finished at 158, tying for 25th. Chargers junior Colby Robertson shot an 81 and finished at 165.

In the Class 2A tournament at Weibring Golf Club, Quincy Notre Dame freshman Beau Eftink made seven consecutive pars on the back nine and carded a 5-over 76, moving him into a tie for 30th overall with a 156 total.

QND senior Zane Douglas shot an 80 to finish at 162, while Raiders junior Konnor Craven posted an 88 to finish at 168.