After a third-place performance at the Southwest Conference Tournament Nevada golf surged to second in the district tournament Thursday at Briarbrook Country Club, sending three players to the state tournament.

Three Tigers shot under 87 to make the cut and qualify for the state tournament May 12 and 13 in Springfield, Mo. Tyler Gast led the team with a 76, good for second overall at the tournament. Zach Braucher shot an 82 and Brandon Davis shot an 86 to join the top 16 as state qualifiers. Head coach Brian Leonard said it's the highest a boys team has ever placed in his time at Nevada High School.

"It's the best we've ever done with the boys since I've been coaching, I know," he said. "I've always had one or none (qualify for state)."

The top team was Carl Junction, which shot a 325 on its home course to qualify its entire roster for state. Nevada finished tied with Carthage at 331 and took second on a tie-breaker. In the event of a tie the team with a lower score from its fifth golfer wins. David Cavener's 93 ruled the day.

Leonard left the course enthusiastic about beating Carthage -- a team Nevada lost to this year -- and coming close to Carl Junction on their own course. He said his squad's familiarity with Briarbrook after playing it four times in a row helped nudge the scores lower.

"Any time you tie Carthage you're having a good season," Leonard said. "Again, Carl Junction on their home course, it's hard to beat them on their home course. Coming within six strokes, I was very pleased with that. I think playing the course that many times really got the boys familiar."