Eagles’ golfers on the upswing

Twelve months ago, Sauk Prairie’s boys golf team was one of the youngest and most inexperienced in the area. The Eagles took some lumps early, but made impressive strides and were playing their best golf by the end of the year. Now, the Eagles’ growing pains from last spring could pay off with a memorable 2024. “I do think we are on the upswing,” Sauk Prairie coach Shane Frey said. “We had some very good showings against good teams last year, so we should have a sense of confidence and high expectations.   “I know that they are expecting big things this year. While having confidence and high expectations is great, they need to continue to put in the time and hold each other accountable and play a smart round every time we tee it up.” The Eagles finished fourth in the now-defunct Badger West Conference and seventh in the star-studded Madison Memorial Regional last year. This time around, Sauk Prairie believes it can better both of those finishes. Senior Garret Mittelstaedt, who averaged 89.2 last season, should be poised for a big final year in the program. “I am expecting Garret to lead us this year and finish his high school career on a high note,” Frey said. “He has been a very solid contributor for us the last two seasons, but hasn’t had his best stuff when it has come to regional time.   “I know that he expects to get out of regionals this year and he has worked hard on his game. I am expecting him to have his best year yet for us.” Sophomore Graysen Dunn had a sensational first year in the program, led the Eagles with an 85.3 scoring average and earned a trip to sectionals as an individual. Now, with a year under his belt, Dunn should be ready for bigger and better things. “Graysen had a great freshman season,” Frey said. “He tirelessly works on his game and has very high expectations for himself.   “He qualified for sectionals last year and I know that he is looking to take it to the next level. My challenge to him to this is not let a bad hole bring him down. He is a good player and can easily overcome a bad (hole) with the right mindset.” Junior  Gavin Goetsch played No. 3 last year and averaged 89.6.   “Gavin has steadily improved the last two years and is primed for a big season,” Frey said. “He has an uncanny ability to keep his emotions in check during the round.   “I know that he wants to take the next step and has worked at it in the offseason. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do this year.” Junior Gavin Falde played at No. 4 last season, averaged 92.6 and improved throughout the year. “Gavin has put up some good scores for us last year and bringing that experience back this year should give him some confidence,” Frey said. “He has plenty of good holes during his rounds, but keeping the big numbers off of his card will help turn a decent round into a great round.” Senior Colin Harrington joined the Eagles’ program for the first time last year. Harrington averaged 96.1 playing both JV and varsity matches, but made enough strides that he’ll be counted on for big things this season. “Last year was Colin’s first year on our golf team and it didn’t take him long to find his way into the varsity line-up,” Frey said. “He has a lot of potential, but needs to be more consistent.   “Keeping his emotions under control and moving on from the bad shot that is bound to happen during a round is something that I want to see him work on this year. He is very capable and I am excited to see him take his game to the next level this year.” Sophomores Jack Janquart and Beau Ballweg, juniors Lawson Maier and Drew Deuman, and senior Ben Janquart will all push for varsity spots, as well. “They are players that will get a lot of JV matches in and will have the opportunity to push for a varsity spot,” Frey said. “They are all capable of solid scores, but it comes back to being consistent and limiting the damage when a shot gets away from them. They are hard-working kids and I look forward seeing them continue to grow and improve.” Frey sees Madison Edgewood and Stoughton as the teams to beat in the conference. He also believes that the Eagles can make some noise. “I feel like if we put it together at most meets, we should be able to compete and finish in the top half of the conference,” Frey said. The Eagles will host a loaded regional, but Frey is optimistic his team can make a run at sectionals. “I am very excited to be hosting regionals this year at Lake Wisconsin Country Club, so I am hopeful that we will have a higher sense of confidence and feel like we can compete for a spot at sectionals,” he said. “I think the main goal for us is to make a run at qualifying for sectionals as a team.   “While that is no easy feat in our regional, if we can all put it together on the same day, we will be right there. I also want to challenge them to focus on a team score instead of the place we finish in a tournament. Regardless of where we finish in a tournament, if we can consistently shoot scores in the 325-335 we will have a very solid year.”