Wildcat golf hoping to earn another trip to state tournament

Louisburg senior Jackson Olson returns to lead the Wildcat golf team after competing in the last two state tournaments.

Last season, the Louisburg golf team snuck into the state tournament for the third straight year and a pair of Wildcat golfers are back from that team to help lead the way as they try and make it a fourth.

Seniors Jackson Olson and Nick Lancaster return to lead the Wildcats after both players played big roles in helping Louisburg get back to state last season. A year ago, Olson was the regional runner-up and has gone to state the last two seasons.

Along with sophomore newcomer Sam Frederick, Olson and Lancaster will provide the Wildcats with a strong part of the varsity lineup as they head into the season.

“Jackson is definitely the leader and best on the team,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “Sam Frederick should be my second best and Nick Lancaster will have to work hard to beat him out for that spot. I would say that right now, those should be my set three for the varsity tournaments most of the time.”

As for what the rest of the varsity roster holds, Burns knows it could be revolving door of different players throughout the season. 

Seniors Brock Varns, Layne Ryals and Carter Stuteville could all see varsity time at one point in the season, along with a number of underclassmen. 

“As far as the other three spots, the new JV golfers have learned fast and are making adjustments needed to compete for a varsity spot,” Burns said. “However, some bad habits come back, and I am always reminding them of what is needed in their swing to be better. When tournaments come around, they will need to be more consistent and confident in the swing they are building.”

The Wildcats will have a late start to their season this year as they open the 2023 campaign today when they compete at the Paola Invitational. Normally, the Wildcats have a tournament or two before now, but they have been working hard at practice to get ready for the upcoming season.

“Practice has been good so far, but the thing that is hard about golf is that you can be off with one thing in the swing and it can affect your whole day,” Burns said. “We still have tons of work to do on all aspects of the game.”

As far as making another state tournament, that is the goal for the Wildcats, but they know they will need to keep improving to have a shot come next month.

“I have three golfers that should shoot in the 80s by the end of the season and most of the others in the 90s,” Burns said. “Whatever we do, we have already started a successful season and I hope to get four guys in the 80s.”

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