Since the school had no seniors, the entire team - including state champ Larry Iverson III - is back this year and the Wolfpack are on the prowl for another run at the state title.
“We're looking pretty good, pretty solid so far,” said Iverson, who will continue his golf career at the University of Washington next fall. “We didn't lose anybody and West did, so this should be a good year. Of course, the goal is to repeat.”
Joining Iverson on the Wolfpack squad will be Aaron Young, Justin Newton and Graham Schmaltz. Schmaltz took ninth at state, Young was 10th and Newton trailed him by three shots in Bozeman a year ago.
Iverson won the state title by eight shots, and is looking forward to defending it at Green Meadow Country Club in Helena on Oct. 9-10.
“I'm ready,” said Iverson, who totes a plus-3.2 handicap index.
He said his scoring and putting have improved, and his mental game is much better.
“Overall, I'm just more consistent,” he said.
The Missoula Sentinel boys are coming off of a third-place finish at state last year, and know that Glacier is going to be tough to beat.
“I think Glacier is head and shoulders above the rest,” coach George Martin said. “But we've got some talent and we're looking forward to a good year.”
Junior Austin Edwards and senior Ryan Colberg bring back state tournament experience. Add in senior Nick Shull and freshman Derek Colberg, and the Spartans could be poised to bring home another trophy.
“The boys have been playing a lot over the summer and played pretty well,” said Martin, who's in his 19th year as coach of the Spartans.
Missoula Hellgate coach Rob Henthorn's squad tied for seventh place at state last year, and he feels his team has the potential to do better this year.
“Our goal is to improve overall at the beginning of the season and fine-tune things as we get closer to state,” Henthorn said.
The Knights will be led by sophomore Colin Gunstream, who finished just outside the top 10 as a freshman.
“Gunstream's a gamer,” Henthorn said. “He likes the competition and has learned how to play within his own game. If things aren't going well and he gets into trouble, he can get out. He can play any shot he needs to.”
Senior Brian O'Day and sophomore Sebastian Robitaille played at state last year, while junior Eric Braun, the State AA tennis champion, and freshman Anders Nord are expected to compete.
Missoula Big Sky, which tied with Hellgate at state, has three players returning this year, including letterwinner Jake Cooper.
“Jake's been playing some good golf,” said coach Wes Appelt, in his 25th year leading the Eagles. “I'd expect him to be right in there.”
Senior Sam Geiszler and junior Chase Bloom played on the JV team last year, and the addition of freshman Casey Diaz should help the Eagles.
“We're aiming for first this year,” Appelt said. “But where we're going to finish is anyone's guess. Maybe the ball will bounce our way this year. We're going to do the best we can and let the chips fall where they may.”
Coach Kim Elliot has a young squad at Kalispell Flathead.
The Braves will be led by sophomore Ian Gillespie and junior Ian Hineman, both of whom played at state. Senior Chris Holquin, sophomores Andrew Olson and Scoob Decker will also be in the mix.
On the girls' side, Big Sky, led by sophomore twins Mackenzie and and Kelton Enich, is a team to be reckoned with.
“The girls are shooting lights-out so far this year,” Appelt said. “They're a little untested and young, but they should be competitive.”
Along with the Eniches, senior Sarah Feilzer is back with state experience, while a mix of sophomores and freshmen will round out the team.
“I think Big Sky is going to be one of the teams to beat,” Henthorn said.
Hellgate lost Whitney Lamb, who is now playing at Montana Tech, but Henthorn has senior Mackenzie Blake, juniors Michelle Carey and Elyse Finnegan and sophomores Katie Martens, Jackie Wells and Lyndsey Christian on the team.
Martin feels Sentinel will be improved over last year. The Spartans are led by seniors Brooke DeBolt and Shelbi Dantic. Juniors Tawney Hughes and Brooke Bowman and promising freshman Mari Wolverton round out the squad.
For the Flathead girls, Elliot has high expectations.
“We have five seniors that have varsity experience and they're coming on strong,” Elliot said.
Sarah Cunningham, Julia Bechtold, Beth McNutt, Michelle Tanberg and Cali Toth, who had a hole-in-one at state last year, give the Bravettes a formidable lineup.
Glacier, which placed sixth at state, will be led by Karli Aurich, who took fifth individually.
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