INDEPENDENCE – On May 9, Ethan Edwards fought through the Missouri heat to qualify for state competition once again. Edwards, who graduated May 13 from Excelsior Springs, qualified for the Class 4 state tournament by placing in a five-way tie for ninth among 58 finishers at the Class 4 District 4 Tournament at Drumm Farm Golf Club. Per Missouri State High School Activities Association regulations, the top four players on the top two teams and top 12 individuals not on those qualifying teams, including those who tied for positions, advanced. Edwards punched his ticket to state by finishing the 18-hole, par-72 round with an 87 (+15) – 11 strokes behind district champion Andrew Ronald Conrad of Smithville. It was Edwards’ second straight time to qualify for state. He tied for 51st last season at the Class 3 state tournament. In other results, junior Ryan Gluhm finished his season with a 100 (+28) to finish in a tie with Warrensbu...