The lead within reach, Ethan Luecke never found a rhythm during Day 2 of the MSHSAA Golf Championships on Tuesday.Paired with three of the state’s elite, the Warrenton senior battled gusty winds and troublesome greens. By day’s end, he had capped off his illustrious high school career with a fifth-place finish in Class 3. Luecke carded a combined 152 over 36 holes at Fremont Hills Golf Club in Nixa to earn All-State honors for a second straight year.“It’s pretty awesome,” said Luecke. “I’m glad I got to represent the school like I did. I wanted that state title, but it just wasn’t meant to be.”The pressure Luecke felt was much less intrusive compared to a year ago when he carried the lead through 34 holes. This time he entered the final round five strokes out of the lead in third, having shot a 74 on Monday.“We went in this morning as the hunter instead of being the hunted,” asserted Coach Rich Barton. “The gameplan was to be aggressive and go for the win.”Davis Palen of Logan-Rogersville held the edge after shooting two under par at 69 on Day 1.“It was a lot less pressure,” added Luecke. “I knew if I played well I’d have a chance, but I didn’t top the others in my group.”He went down to the wire with Boonville’s Brett Windsor and Palen, who each shot a 145 to be named co-champions.Luecke says his confidence peaked early each day with a solid showing on the front nine.On Monday he began his round with a 35 before carding a 39 on the back nine.“The biggest problem was me not taking advantage of the birdies on the back nine,” said Luecke. “I did worse on the back nine each day.”Luecke says the course proved to be one of the most difficult he has played, including the Sedalia Country Club, which hosted the state tournament last May.“The greens weren’t soft so if you landed, the ball didn’t spin at all,” said Luecke. “I’d hit a good shot, but it wasn’t playing to that course,”Still, he felt good about his chances entering the final 18.“I played pretty good on Monday,” said Luecke. “I had a couple birdies in the start to give myself some lee-way.”He finished the front nine with a 37, but turned in a 41 on the back nine.“Yesterday he played pretty consistent all day long, but on the second day he didn’t find any consistency throughout the round,” said Barton. “As they day wore on, he remained that way.”The wind proved to particularly challenging on the Par 3s.“I was kind of used to the wind this time of year, but it still plays a big factor,” said Luecke. “I hit it pretty well and tried not to let it affect me.”“He crushed the ball off the tee box today, but he was getting unlucky bounces or breaks,” said Barton. “The course was not kind to him at all.”At the conclusion of his final round, Luecke found himself standing next to friend and GAC opponent Davis Soderberg of St. Charles West, who also shoot a 145. The two had been paired up in match play on several occasions this season — one which Luecke felt was acceptable but not extraordinary.“I was pretty consistent all year,” said Luecke. “I didn’t have any terrible rounds, but I didn’t have any amazing rounds this year.”Having set high standards for himself, Luecke even finds flaws in the 69 he shot during the Elsberry Invitational. But he can’t deny the success he experienced over a decorated four-year varsity career.“I hope there are some other kids that see what I’ve accomplished and what to come out and play golf,” said Luecke.After facing adversity and the disappointment of being painfully close to both a state appearance his freshman year and a state championship his junior season, Luecke can attest to one thing.“Sometimes that one stroke is a deal breaker,” said Luecke.LUECKE FINISHES FIFTHDerrick Forsythe Photo.