GC golf returns conference championship team
By Kelsie Hoitomt
GLENWOOD CITY – Despite the weather mother nature has thrown out this “spring,” the Glenwood City golf team has been practicing diligently in the gymnasium with another conference championship in the sights.
Last season was the first time in over 30 years that the golf team had won a conference championship. The Hilltoppers also went on to take second place at the regional meet and third place at the sectional meet.
This year the team has lost just one student to graduation, Travis Johnson, but they bring back 12 players from last year, including six seniors; Michael Johnson, Alex Little, Tyler Nueske, Jaden Newton, Zach Schemionek and Elizabeth Nyhus and junior Nick Mrdutt who as an individual was just one shot away from going to the state meet in 2012.
Also returning are juniors Jordan Hill and Richard Ross, who is out for medical reasons, and sophomores Brandon Barstad, Jacob Hierlmeier and Moriah Kuehndorf. New to the team are freshmen Garret Schemionek, Nathan Mrdutt, Matt Wink, Nathan Hill and junior Hunter Chouinard.
Nick Mrdutt and Hierlmeier each received 1st team All-Conference honors and Zach Schemionek received 2nd team All-Conference last season.
“Our strengths this year are definitely our returning players. The six seniors have been out for golf all four years. However, our weakness is the weather. The kids need time to get outside and practice and play since you can only practice inside for so long before it starts to get boring,” said head coach Ron Johnson.
Johnson is in his third year as head coach of the golf team, with a total of four years coaching under his belt. Also returning this year is assistant coach Tristan Kittilson.
As a team, their goals this year are to win another conference meet as well as the regional meet and qualify for state.
“Colfax will be the top competitor, Coach Ross does an excellent job with his players from year to year and they are returning the majority of their team as well,” shared Johnson.
The golf team was scheduled to play in Colfax and Mondovi this week but both meets have been cancelled due to the weather. It is still being discussed whether or not the courses at Pheasant Hills in Hammond and Bristol Ridge in Somerset will be ready for April 19 (Hammond) and 20 (Somerset).
