Wright City freshman Morgan Nute and Warrenton senior Merrick Owens both will compete at the state golf meet this week. 

Nute won the Class 2, District 1 meet Monday. Nute shot a 76 and won the district by seven strokes. 

“I thought Morgan did a great job,” Wright City girls golf coach Shannon Wells said. “Morgan played with poise of older upper classmen. She was hitting the ball well and she her short game was exceptional. When she did get into trouble, she minimized her miscues.”

Nute advances to the Class 2 state meet, which is slated to be held Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 in Joplin. 

“My expectations for her are to play two good rounds of golf and to enjoy the experience,” Wells said. “If she does that, I think she will have good chance to place.”

Owens shot an 87 and finished tied for 14th at the Class 3, District 2 meet last week in Wentzville. 

“She was very poised and confident,” Warrenton golf coach Kelly Anderson said. “She went into districts with a goal of qualifying for state. She took every hole, every swing, one swing at a time and we really talked a lot about if we have a bad shot, mentally moving on forward and making sure we’re focused on the next shot. She did a really, really good job focusing on what she was doing at the time and not letting a good or bad hole sway her one way or the other. So I just think she played really confident.”

Owens will make the trip to the Class 3 state meet for the second time. The Class 3 meet will be held Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 in Farmington. 

“I’m looking forward to her just being able to play with ease like she has been and just, play well or play bad, just make sure that we’re looking to the next shot,” Anderson said. “And that she goes in just ready to enjoy it.”