ShawneeDispatch.com

It wasn't exactly a banner week for Mill Valley golf, but Ted Novak was able to salvage his season.

After winning the Kaw Valley League tournament last Wednesday, Novak, senior, was the lone MVHS golfer to qualify for State Monday at the Regional tournament at Heritage golf course.

Novak's round couldn't have gotten off to a worse start. He was 12 over par after the first four holes. He finished the day with an 87, 16 over par. He saved his season by shooting two over par on the back nine.

The top three teams qualified for State -- Mill Valley finished fifth -- and then the next five golfers with the best scores not on one of the top three teams also qualified.

Novak was the last qualifier, but MVHS coach Rob Robson said he believes Novak will play above his seed at State, which will be played next Monday at Auburn Hills in Wichita.

"He definitely has the mental and physical skills to finish top 10," Robson said. "There's no doubt about that, and I think since it's his last state, that's what his goal will be."

Novak will be paired with players who shot similar scores at Regionals.

"The task in front of him is not to play at their level, but to play at the level he's capable of," Robson said. "That's one of the challenges of golf. If you go out and play with good golfers, you tend to play better. If you go out and play with golfers who aren't as polished as you are, you really have to stay focused and play your game."

Novak's round Monday was uncharacteristic of his season.

It was his highest competitive score this year and followed a round of 78, which was his winning score last week at the KVL tournament. Mill Valley finished third at League as a team behind Basehor-Linwood and Lansing.

Last year Novak was one of three MVHS golfers to qualify for State and he shot an 83, finishing outside of the top 20. Robson said it should be easier for him the second time around.

"He has the experience and will know how to handle it," he said.

Experience might have been an issue for the younger MVHS golfers at Regionals. Only senior Max McGraw, who shot a 98, had participated at a Regional tournament before.

Three of the team's golfers had shot better than an 85 in their practice round at Heritage over the weekend but did not perform as well when the pressure was on.

Sophomore James Mullin shot a 94, freshman Marcus Grimes a 104, junior Michael Fleenor a 115 and junior Max Merriman shot a 119.

"As far as the future is concerned, I'm very hopeful because they now have some great experience under their belt," Robson said.