Mexico boys golf looking for return to state

Aidan Knipfel has represented Mexico boys golf at state before.

The senior missed qualifying last year but wants to earn his third career berth to the state tournament.

Head coach Becca Bates said Knipfel is expected to play well and is among a group of solid returners that includes senior Kaiden Doebelin and junior Jake Stephens. Bates said Doebelin’s work has caused some noticeable improvement in his game already, and Stephens is hitting the ball a lot better than his previous two years.

Bates said Mexico has 13 on the roster this season with only one freshman Matt Painter.

“We are having some really good range sessions and on course play,” Bates said. “The only thing we might be in our own way with is the mental game or the grind to finish a round strong and not give up. Overall, we are looking really good and I’m very excited for this season.”

Van-Far golf brings quality among smaller numbers

Van-Far golf might not have a ton of kids but has several standouts.

Pat Connaway takes over in his first high school golfing head coaching job this season and will lead a roster of six kids, including freshman Kaleb Baskett, sophomores Pacey Reading and Kasen Christian, junior Kaden Whiteaker, and seniors Clara Wallace and Nikos Connaway.

Reading is coming off a freshman season where he qualified for state along with the graduated Cody Smith and was all-conference. He and Christian were varsity golfers last year.

“They are a great group of kids that joke around and push each other to be better,” Connaway said. “It is a very competitive group.”

Connaway believes Baskett can be the next one to have a strong freshman season as he brings much skill to the sport already. Connaway’s son, Nikos, is coming off an all-state basketball season that has played multiple sports in his high school career.

Despite the lack of numbers and experience, Connaway hopes to compete at districts and take a team to state this season.

North Callaway golf with new coach, hopefully new state qualifiers

North Callaway boys golf head coach Jason Smith liked what the team accomplished last season.

Smith takes over as the head coach this season and wants to build off last year’s success with his young team this season. The Thunderbirds had top-15 finishers in tournaments, two all-conference players and a state qualifier in the graduated Davis Althiser.

“I want to meet or exceed last year's accomplishments,” Smith said. “Overall, I want to see growth from the players from the start of the season to the end.”

Smith said he will have five kids on the varsity team this season, including two freshmen, one sophomore and two seniors. That makeup usually means inexperience, but North Callaway actually has three with competitive golf experience. Seniors Tyler Huddleston and Johnny Brown return, of course, and freshman Anthony Russell has a lot of competitive experience.

“I think our strength will be having three players with experience in competitive golf,” Smith said. “We will be a young team overall so there is a lot of room for growth and development.