Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
The Kimball golf team is pictured above. Front row, left to right, are Kole Bush, Dillon Wise, Andrew McCloud, Zane Anthony and Izaac Reuter. Back row, from left, are Weston Walker, Jesse Heide, Cole Henton, Jacob Walker, Jaren Winstrom and Ethan Greenwood. Not pictured, Brendan Walker
After last year's exceptional season, what might we expect from this year's Kimball High Boy's Golf Team? You might remember that last year they swept through the season with 8 consecutive wins before having to settle for runnerup honors at the State Tournament. They won both the Western Trails Conference and SPVA Tournaments, and the District Tournament, and their only loss was to Lincoln Lutheran, by 9 strokes, in the two-day State Tournament. They brought home the State Runnerup Trophy and had 3 players finish in the top 15 medal group.
With all but one of their varsity players returning, we can expect another outstanding season for the Kimball boys. However, that one player who is not returning, graduated-Jordan Greenwood will be sorely missed. Jordon finished out his four years as Kimball's first ever four year state medalist! I think it is safe to say his credentials will list him as Kimball High's best ever! Last year, Jordan was an 8 event medal winner taking medalist honors 3 times and finishing with a tie for 3rd place at the State Meet. For certain, the number one golfer spot he filled last season, will be hard to fill, but it can be done from the returning group. Jordan will be watching and cheering from the sidelines as he continues his golf at the college level as a member of the Southeast Community College team in Beatrice, Nebraska.
The positive note is, Coach Chad Wise has four of his varsity players returning, including senior Andrew McCloud, along with juniors Zane Anthony, Dillon Wise and Izaac Reuter. Anthony was a medal winner in all 9 tournaments a year ago, finished in the number 2 spot at 5 tournaments and tied for 10th at the State Tournament. Dillon Wise was also a medal winner in all 9 tournaments, was medalist at the Bridgeport Tournament, and was 15th at State. McCloud was a 6 event medal winner and Reuter a 4 time medal winner last season.
Coach Wise has 12 golfers checked out, including the 4 mentioned. Others seniors are Kole Bush, who could easily step into one of those varsity roles as Wise said, "Kole is looking very good in the short time we have had to practice this spring." Weston Walker is the other senior, but is new to the game. Jaren Winstrom and Jacob Walker are juniors who have been with the program and work hard at their game. Brendan Walker is a talented sophomore and Ethan Greenwood is another sophomore who comes from that golfing family. The two freshman who are new to the program are Jesse Heide and Cole Henton. Henton turned some heads with his play in last year's summer programs.
About the only way the team could improve on last year's record is to win one more tournament, and that is possible. As for goals, Coach Wise said, "We are going to really work on improving our game from 100 yards in." The schedule seems to change from day-to-day. Already, the opening tournament at Chase County, set for March 29, has been post-poned, but a dual at Gering was added for March 27th. It looks like the next tournament will be at Mitchell, April 10th.
Tournament dates at Bayard and Chase County will be announced later. I can tell you that Chase County will host the SPVA on April 27, and Morrill the WTC on April 28. I can also tell you that Kimball will host District this year on the week of May 14th, with a practice round on that Monday and District play on Tuesday. How about that? Go Big Red!