“With the depth that we have on our team, we look to compete every day in practice and in every meet to figure out who is going to score on a consistent basis…With doing that, we will be in the mix when we get to the Conference meet, Region Meet, and State Meet.”
— Jacob Hinker
LHS Head Boys’ Golf Coach
As the new school year kicks off, the greens of Lennox High School are once again abuzz with activity as the boys’ golf season swings into action. With the fresh season comes a sense of excitement, anticipation, and a new face. Head Coach Jacob Hinker is stepping into his first year coaching golf as Cody Lutes resigned from the position this past summer. Lutes will be the new Lennox Elementary Principal.
Last year, the standout achievement was Caleb Wipf’s impressive performance that secured him a spot in the state tournament. Despite challenging conditions, Wipf managed scores of 84 on day one at State and 80 on day two, tallying up to a total of 164 over the two days. With the par set at 144, Wipf finished the tournament at +20, landing him a respectable 28th place as an individual contender. Wipf, however, will not play a part on this year’s squad, having graduated last spring along with Andrew Daugherty and Sawyer Bowers.
But another highlight from the last season was the sheer size of the team, with numerous young players taking to the course to learn and refine their golfing skills, meaning plenty of talent remains for the Orioles.
Hinker, who has prior coaching experience as an Assistant Basketball Coach for three years and as a Junior High Football coach for three years, is optimistic about the potential of this year’s team. He emphasizes the depth and leadership of the seniors, making a strong case for the team’s competitive edge. Hinker also acknowledges the presence of talented underclassmen who are eager to secure their spots on the roster.
“We have a lot of seniors out for the team which creates good depth and good leadership,” said Hinker. “We have a good amount of 7-11 graders out as well pushing for spots.”
Returning letter winners include seniors Ryan Benning, Eli Homan, Will Hoppe, Pierce Temme, Mitch VanMeeteren, Noah Welch and Alex Heibult. Seniors new to the team include Talan Dierks, Ethan Lundquist, Braxton Musser, and Cody Plank.
However, with the promise of a talented squad, questions linger about consistency. Hinker identifies the challenge of identifying players who can consistently deliver strong performances in meets, week after week. The team’s potential is undeniable, but translating that potential into consistent results will be a crucial task for Hinker and his assistant coach, Angie Zirpel.
“We will have a lot of kids who have the capabilities to score well, but can they do it on a weekly basis?” Hinker questioned.
Looking at the competition, Vermillion, the defending State Champions, stand out as the team to beat in the conference. Hinker also points out West Central and Dakota Valley as strong contenders, setting the stage for thrilling match-ups throughout the season.
The first two meets of the season got underway this week – Hartford on August 14th, and Madison on August 15th. These initial encounters help provide an early glimpse into the team’s form and potential, setting the tone for the rest of the season.
“With the depth that we have on our team, we look to compete every day in practice and in every meet to figure out who is going to score on a consistent basis,” said Hinker. “With doing that, we will be in the mix when we get to the Conference meet, Region Meet, and State Meet.”
This year’s complete roster includes: Talan Dierks, Ryan Benning, Braxton Musser, Griffen Boomgarden, Pierce Temme, Eli Plank, Mitch VanMeeteren, Eli Homan, Emmitt Odland, Eli Highum, Aiden Hanssen, Lukias Johnson, Jackson Anacker, Carter Beringer, Will Hoppe, Noah Welch, Alex Heibult, Wyatt Holland, Tate Hoverson, Aiden Kollis, Cody Plank, Ethan Lundquist, Tiegen Black, Palmer Brue, Jake Carlson, Dane Winteboer, Tyler Strasser, Noah Buhta, Tripton Poppens, Gabe Veurink, Matthew Dummer, Willy Storm, Kolby Seeman, Gavin Schoeberl, Bodie Sweeter, Cameron Keatly, Kelton Smith, Colter Williamson, Micha Townsend, Ryan Passaniti, Adam Passaniti, and Colter Williamson.
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