Lyle/Pacelli newcomer Tom Kluczny has been a picture of consistency for the boys' golf team this season, while returning state qualifier Jamie Knutson has not yet been at his best. In Saturday's Blooming Prairie Invitational, some things changed. Everything else, as in Kluczny's case, stayed the same.

The temperatures dropped down to around 40 degrees for the Blossom boys' invite, and Lyle/Pacelli apparently welcomed the change. L/P finished second to defending champion USC (Wells) with a team score of 336 in their first 18-hole event this year.

Kluczny shot congruent rounds of 38 to card medalist honors with a 38-38--76, pressured only by teammate Knutson, who played up and down en route to a 41-36--77.

"They were competing against each other," said L/P boys' coach Mark Buntje. "They must have talked to each other during their round because they knew what each other's scores were.

"It was good to see Jamie get started. Tom's been pretty consistent all year long."

Knutson missed a birdie putt on his final hole for the chance to tie Kluczny for medalist honors, but buried his comebacker of equal or greater length for the runner-up spot. The next closest competitor shot an 81.

"We've never even been in the top half before," Buntje said. "This is the best place we've had as a team since back in Pacelli's glory days."

USC, who won the event last season with a 328, edged L/P by five strokes with a 331 for the team title. Kasson-Mantorville was fourth at 342 and host Blooming Prairie was just back at 344. Hayfield finished last out of 11 teams with a 409.

Eighth-grader Tyler Fett, who was L/P's medalist in Friday's dual victory over LeRoy-Ostrander, shot an 89, and Mark Van Winter added a 94.

"If we would have just gotten another shore in the 80s we would have won," Buntje added.

Lyle/Pacelli plays at Southland/Grand Meadow on Monday at Cedar River Country Club in Adams. The two teams have emerged thusfar as the favorites in the Southeast Conference.

Results:

Team standings -- 1. USC 331, 2. Lyle/Pacelli 336, 3. Kasson-Mantorville 342, 4. Blooming Prairie 344, 5. NRHEG 352, 6. Cannon Falls 354, 7. Stewartville 360, 8. Kenyon-Wanamingo 363, 9. Glenville-Emmons 372, 10. Alden-Conger 393, 11. Hayfield 409.

Lyle/Pacelli (336) -- Tom Kluczny 76, Jamie Knutson 77, Tyler Fett 89, Mark Van Winter 94, Shawn Pfeil 102, Kyle Fett 107.

L/P boys drop L-O

The Lyle/Pacelli boys golf team picked up their third overall and second Southast Conference win by defeating LeRoy-Ostrander on Friday, 178-198, at Ramsey Golf Course near Austin.

Eighth-grader Tyler Fett led the L/P team towards the 20-stroke win by shooting a 41, and winning the meet medalist honors.

Supporting Fett were Tom Kluczny 42, Jamie Knutson 46, and Mark Van Winter who shot a 49.

Leading the L-O golfers was Nick Norby who shot a 43, followed by Erick Anderson 47, Nate Miller 49, and Chris Newton 54.

Both teams competed against each other on the back nine at Ramsey (par 36), and were forced to fight against each other on a very cold and windy day.

"We did well despite the elements today," said Lyle/Pacelli coach Mark Buntje.

Results:

LeRoy-Ostrander (198) -- Nick Norby 43, Erick Anderson 47, Nate Miller 49, Chris Newton 54.

Lyle/Pacelli (178) -- Tyler Fett 71, Tom Kluczny 42, Jamie Knutson 46, Mark Van Winter 49.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.