By Becky Walz,
While the Turkey Valley girls’ golf team is heavy on the amount of experience hitting the links, the Trojan boys remain youthful and untested.
Leading both squads is Head Coach John Reicks. He is in his ninth season leading both programs.
Now gone
Graduating for the girls since the last time on the links competitively were Karissa Schmidt, Jaedyn Winter, Rachelle Smith, Marisa Muethertheis and Savannah Schmitt.
Boys who have graduated include Simon Schmitt, Gabe Hoffert, Jason Herold, James Schmitt, Matt Stammeyer, Keegan Balk and Lucas Scheidel.
Junior-Senior leadership
The Trojan girls will heavily rely on the experience of its four seniors and lone junior as the 2021 season kicks off.
“We have a nice blend of veterans and newcomers,” said Coach Reicks as he noted the senior leadership and the girls’ willingness to work as the team’s strengths.
The veteran coach points to Ali Hoffert and Tess Franzen as his top two golfers with Raegen Kime and Emma Hanson rounding out the Trojans’ top four.
Filling out the roster is Kylie Wurzer, Brianna Busta, Clare Courtney, Olivia Snyder, Bella Gruenberg, Ana Ventura, Mairah Throndson and Megan Blong.
“The lack of depth and the COVID year caused a huge disruption and is a huge concern this season, along with the inexperience of the younger players,” said Coach Reicks.
At the conference meet, the coach sees South Winn, North Fayette Valley and Clayton Ridge rising to the top.
“The girls are excited to begin. With the pandemic hopefully winding down, just getting outside and being with friends and/or teammates learning a lifelong skill is a ‘win’,” he said. “I am cautiously optimistic. We need our No. 5 and 6 golfer to step up quickly and contribute.”
Lack of experience
The last time Garrett Kurtenbach was on the course for the Trojans was as a district qualifier as a freshman in 2019. Now a junior, G. Kurtenbach will lead TV on the links. Other key returnees are Jackson Vsetecka and Kalvin Langreck as the squad looks for assistance from the newcomers.
“We will be young and inexperienced,” said Coach Reicks. “We need the No. 4, 5 and 6 golfers to step up quickly. In addition, there are several two-sport athletes competing in track, as well as golf, so finding quality practice time will be key.”
Working to fill in the open spots for TV will be Lance Schmitt, Brody Hackman, Rolin Schmitt, Brady Barta, Nelson Reicks, Caleb Kurtenbach, Oliver Schmitt and Braylen Byrne.
At the Upper Iowa Conference meet, Coach Reicks believes South Winn, North Fayette Valley, Central Elkader and Clayton Ridge all could vie for a top spot with his Trojans finishing in the middle of the conference.
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