Robertson makes history as Chargers’ 1st district medalist, will be joined at nationals by Wake

BYRON — Colby Robertson made history as the first Sandburg men's golfer to be the Midwest District medalist and will be joined at the national tournament by teammate Tanner Wake following Tuesday's completion of the Region 4 Championship at PrairieView.

Robertson finished the 54-hole tournament at 10 over par and beat Black Hawk's Leo Fiscus on the second hole of a playoff to become the Chargers' first region champ. Previously, Sandburg's best finish by an individual in the Region 4 tournament was in 2011 by David Blake, who was runner-up.

Robertson's winning performance highlighted a strong showing at the tournament by the Chargers, who narrowly missed out on advancing to nationals as a team but will be represented by Robertson and Wake, who tied for eighth overall. The top three teams and top three individuals not from those teams advanced to nationals.

Robertson and Wake will compete at the NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship from May 20-23 at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Ind. The Chargers have now advanced an individual or qualified as a team for the national tournament each of the last 13 years and in 17 of the last 18 seasons.

Robertson and Wake also earned spots on the All-Region 4 team. Robertson was a first-team honoree, while Wake was a third-team pick.

Robertson opened the tournament with rounds of 4-over-par 76 on Sunday and Monday, then closed with a 2-over 74 on Tuesday. The freshman from Carthage finished his front nine Tuesday with a birdie to go out in an even-par 36. Robertson and Fiscus finished one shot ahead of Black Hawk's Wil Sigwarth and Oakton's Ryan Belz before moving on to their playoff. Robertson has shot in the 70s in each of his last eight rounds.

Wake, meanwhile, rebounded from an opening-round 83 to claim the final individual-qualifier spot for nationals. The freshman from Elmwood carded a second-round 76, then raced up the leaderboard by shooting 2 over in the final round.

Wake got off to a scorching start Tuesday, making birdies on four of the first five holes and shooting 2 under on the front nine. Wake didn't record a birdie on the back, but his par at the last helped him sneak into the field at nationals.

As a team, Sandburg sat tied for sixth out of 11 teams following a first-round 324. They moved into fifth after posting a 317 on Monday and finished fourth following their final-round 309. The Chargers' 950 total for the tournament was just three shots out of matching Bryant & Stratton for the final team-qualifying spot. Led by Wake's hot start, Sandburg sat at 3 under as a team through Tuesday's first five holes.

Sophomore Logan Beers birdied two of his first four holes Tuesday and finished with a 77 in his final round as a Charger. Beers, who shot a 78 to open the tournament, finished tied for 18th overall. 

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