Marshall sophomore Brandon Hall turned in a solid score in his first appearance in the tough Smith-Cotton Classic. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

SEDALIA -- The Marshall boys' golf team's continued to struggle on the Sedalia Country Club course Monday during the Smith-Cotton Classic.

The Owls finished 20th out of 23 teams with a score of 358, 23 strokes higher than the tally which placed them 18th a year ago.

"Another S-C Classic has come and gone, and we did not score as well as we would have liked to," admitted MHS coach Erek Dusenberry. "This is a very good golf course, and one I still think young players should be able to handle, but year in and year out we seem to struggle at this site."

The best for Marshall was the 86s logged by seniors Cody Dusenberry and Brandon Thiel, which tied them for 77th in a field of 115 golfers.

"Cody started on the No. 1 handicap hole, the hardest, and made a costly mistake," Dusenberry said. "Once again his ball-striking wasn't as good as he wanted it to be, putting added pressure on his putter -- and with the greens dressed, you just aren't going to make that many putts."

Dusenberry's score was four strokes higher than last year, but Thiel cut six strokes from his previous performance.

Sophomore Brandon Hall came in with a 92, "just having a couple of holes a day that are keeping him out of the 80s," Dusenberry asserted. "Once he eliminates the doubles or worse, his score will be much more competitive."

Rounding out the Owls' tally was a 95 from junior David Findlay.

"He had a tough start, but adjusted by putting the away the driver and finished better," Dusenberry said. "He is doing a lot of things much better."

Senior Austin Lamparter was close behind with a 96 in only his second tournament, but -- according to Dusenberry -- "stayed away from extra shots," like penalties and three-putts.

The race for the championship was about as tight as possible, with three points separating the top four teams: Lee's Summit West (296 points), Park Hill South (297), Helias (298) and Jefferson City (299). Senior Brad Moody of Helias on the individual title by a stroke with a one-under-par 69.

The Owls won a rare Friday dual at Indian Foothills Golf Course, 190 to 216 over Knob Noster (0-3).

Cody Dusenberry and Thiel each shot 46 to tie the Panthers' Justin Connors for medalist honors.

Findlay came in at 48 and Lamparter turned in a 50. Hall's 51 did not factor into the team score.

Marshall will play Saturday in the Hannibal Tournament, but midway through the season progress has come slowly due to the weather -- which has given the Owls only seven practice days.

"It's hard to believe that we are just about three weeks away from the district" tournament, Erek Dusenberry said. "We have a lot of work to do before we get there."