The boys on the Timberland golf team have accomplished quite a pair of feats in the past couple of weeks.
Without technically doing so as a team, the Wolves have all qualified for the Class 2 state meet by pushing the entire team through the district and sectional rounds based upon individual scores.
"I am extremely happy with the progression my team has made," Timberland golf coach Kyle Lindquist said. "Especially with how young the team is. We have two freshmen and three sophomores that we took to districts and, for all five to get out individually there, and in sectionals, is quite an achievement."
Timberland finished third in Class 4 Sectional 2 play at Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters last week.
The Wolves' score of 337 was bested only by DeSmet's 322 and Francis Howell's 328.
"This was a challenging sectional with some very good teams," Lindquist said. "We finished third as a team, but we still managed to get all five of our golfers through."
All five Timberland golfers managed to finish in the top 12 at the event.
The results thereby qualified them for the state meet later this month in Springfield.
Timberland's scores were: Ryan Keller in fourth with an 80; Zach Cutler in 13th with an 85; Jackson Lane and Jonathan Roberson in 14th with an 86 and Joshua O'Hearn in 20th with an 89.
Still, in the face of heavy odds, the Wolves managed to persevere.
"It was very challenging to have those golfers compete with Chaminade, DeSmet and Francis Howell," Lindquist said. "They all stepped up to that challenge."
Lindquist said such success on the heels of district success is just a testament to his golfers.
He says it speaks volumes about both the talent they have and the work they're willing to put in - to a man - in order to achieve success.
"Jackson is a sophomore and he qualified for state last year, so we expected big things from him," Lindquist said. "He's been the leader. Ryan was our low round at sectionals and he's been quite the surprise this year. (Roberson) worked his way up the depth chart to get a varsity spot right before districts. Our freshmen (Cutler and O'Hearn) have been fantastic all year."
Even with such a young team, Lindquist said he feels his team can't sit back and just be happy they made it to the state meet.
He said he feels his golfers need to seize the moment presented to them.
"You never know if you'll ever get back here,"' Lindquist said. "You can't just ever set your goal at simply getting to the state tournament. When there are only eight or nine teams that make it to state a year, you have to go up there and be ready to be in contention for (a title)."
