PREVIEW: Panthers aim to extend postseason


The Monticello High School boys golf team, first row from left: head coach Curt Tauke, Bo Kramer, Connor Lambert, Justin Recker, Daltyn Kramer, Hunter Kramer and Ty Kehoe. Second row: Sagan DeWald, Tom Dirks, Brenden Dirks, Noah Webber, Grahm Schneiter, Kaden Kiburz, Riley Manternach, Chandler Weber, Kaden Finn, Lucas Bartachek and Tyler Luensman. Not pictured is Tyler Blattner. (Photo by Pete Temple)
BOYS GOLF
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     Two years ago, the Monticello High School boys golf team finished 11th overall in the River Valley Conference. Last year, the Panthers were sixth.

     This year?

     “We feel we can be in the mix this year and challenge for the conference title,” said Curt Tauke, who is now in his 36th year at the helm.

     “We have the potential, it’s just a matter of whether we can get there by the end of an already shortened season. We have a strong core of young golfers, many of whom gained varsity and 18-hole competition experience last year.”

     It’s still a young team, with just two seniors among the seven returning letterwinners, Daltyn Kramer and Hunter Kramer. The rest of them are sophomores: Justin Recker, Connor Lambert, Bo Kramer, Ty Kehoe and Grahm Schneiter.

     Tauke said he hopes the team’s balance and depth can help it overcome its relative youth.

     “These young players have to realize that they need to step up and be the leaders of this team,” the coach said. “Everyone will need to step forward and expect their scores to count (in the team total) this year.”

     The Panthers are also hoping some of their players can post the occasional outstanding score.

     “I think we have the potential to have multiple players ‘go low’ for us, but how often and how soon is the question,” Tauke said. “From a scoring perspective, it’s nice to be able to count on a consistent score in the 30s. We just need to eliminate a few more mistakes to make those 42s and 43s become 38s and 39s.”

     The RVC has several strong teams, mostly in the South Division, including Durant, West Branch, Mid-Prairie, Iowa City Regina and Wilton.

     Monticello hopes not only to challenge for the overall title, but to advance further in postseason play.

     “We did not qualify for districts in our sectional play the last two years,” Tauke said. “We really feel that’s an important goal for us, to move on to district play and have a chance to qualify for State.”

     

Category:

Subscriber Login