Kuehn sets his goals high on the golf course
HARTINGTON — Cedar Catholic High School has had plenty of strong golfers over the years.
Riley Kuehn is clearly aiming to make sure he’s near the top of that list.
The senior Trojan, who has finished second at the state meet in previous campaigns, has come out of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent cancellation of the 2020 season better than ever.
“Riley’s overall performance this year has been consistent to say the least,” Cedar golf coach Rick Kuehn said. “His scoring average for all the meets is right at 36. Riley’s mindset is the one thing that has always worked well for him this season and also his approach to the game.
He brings an air of confidence to the course, his coach said.
“When he tees it up, he thinks that he is going to win. He is not arrogant about it at all just confident,” Rick Kuehn said.
Riley has won all but one tournament this year and along with his performance, he is also happy with the team’s showing and that just adds to his optimism.
“I’ve just really been in a groove this year,” he said. “I’ve been really riding the wave and trying to keep this going to get ready for districts and state. I always keep a positive mindset when I am out there.
He really enjoys the game, even though it can be nerve-wracking at times.
“I always have a smile on my face when I am playing, and I always feel I am going to come back,” he said.
Riley said his former teammate, SDSU’s Matthew Schaefer told him there is always a way to get a birdie and he also follows the mantra of just “finding a way.”
“Just go out there and play and find a way,” Riley said.
Riley Kuehn has had plenty of strong performances including a 32 at the Randolph triangular and even though there are no official rankings for state golf, his coach believes that Riley should be considered the top linkster in Class C.
“Riley has a really good chance of winning it all but will face some good competition,” Rick Kuehn said. “Riley’s personality in golf is a free spirit and He doesn’t have many, if at all, blowup holes and if he does, he shrugs it off and knows he can make it up. He really does a nice job of forgetting what he has done and concentrates on what he is going to do, at a meet.”
Kuehn, who will play at Northeast Community College next year and hopefully transfer to a Division I four-year school in 2022, wants to make a good showing at the state tournament, where he finished tied for second in 2019. He has now made state all three years of his career.
“I feel pretty confident about college and have some friends playing college golf and I am able to match up, but I know it will be a change with different courses and the college life,” Riley said. “I don’t have a sense of urgency (for state) because I am enjoying every moment. That’s been the biggest thing: I am not putting any pressure on myself.
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