ELDON - The Helias Crusaders advanced to the sectional tournament the hard way.
The top two team finishers at the district tournament claim automatic spots in the sectional. But if you can get four individuals among the top 15 players not from those two squads, you get to post a team score at sectionals.
That's the road the Crusaders took Monday at the Class 3 District 4 Tournament at Eldon Country Club.
Hannibal was first as a team with a 326, eight shots better than runner-up Mexico. Helias was next at 342.
Jack Rundle finished fourth for Helias in the individual standings with a 78, while Matt Branch tied for 13th with an 86. Both Rundle and Branch earned all-district honors.
Also advancing to sectionals are Nick Alexander, who tied for 17th with an 88, and Cole Higgins, who tied for 19th with an 89. Rounding out the Crusaders at districts was Curtis Campbell, who finished 27th with a 93.
School of the Osage was seventh in the 10-team event with a 373, followed in eighth by Eldon with a 382.
Spencer Rogers of Eldon (tied for 17th, 88) and Michael Crosby of School of the Osage (tied for 19th, 89) will advance to sectionals as individuals.
The sectional tournament is next Monday at Quail Creek Golf Club in St. Louis.