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AMES -- BCLUW freshman Zaden Eggers wasn't in it for the experience, but he'll benefit from it one day just the same.
That day wasn't Tuesday, however, as Eggers was unable to achieve his goal of getting an all-state medal at the Class 1A boys' state golf championship at Ames Golf & Country Club.
Eggers shot an 83 on Monday and an 82 on Tuesday but lost three positions in the final standings even though his score improved from one round to the next.
The Comet rookie finished in a tie for 20th place with his 165 total, sharing the spot with Wapello senior Cooper Garrison.
"He set high expectations, we weren't there for the experience," said BCLUW head coach Heath Rhinehart. "He had expectations of shooting under 80. He would say he's disappointed even though top-20 as a freshman is not bad at all.
"Maybe in the next couple of days what he's accomplished will sink in."
Iowa City Regina senior Mikey Takacs won the individual title with his 77-71--148, winning a sudden-death playoff against Hamburg freshman Keith Thompson (78-70--148).
Eggers was four strokes out of all-state contention after Monday's opening 18 holes, but too many scoring opportunities escaped him to get back into the mix.
"It would be one shot on almost every hole, he just couldn't get himself comfortable," Rhinehart said. "I don't think it was nerves, and overall the course itself does fit his game. He scrambled well, he was able to get himself out of situations -- his short game was what kept him in the game."
And while he may not have matched his lofty aspirations for his state meet debut, Eggers set the stage for so much more in the future.
He was the Comets' first individual state qualifier since Chris Crawford achieved it in 2006.
"The future looks good," Rhinehart said. "He has the game, he just needs to trust it. This was a fantastic experience even though we weren't there for the experience.
"This is good for him. I think it'll keep him hungry for more."