Oconto Falls boys golf team expecting strong year despite youth

The Oconto Falls High School boys golf team enters the spring season with high expectations despite lacking varsity experience.

The Panthers’ lineup was dominated by upperclassmen two seasons ago, and all but one of those golfers have since graduated.

The good news for Oconto Falls and coach Scott Schroeder is that the one returning golfer is Evan Jaeger, a 2019 sectional qualifier as an individual.

“We will be a younger team with only one returning varsity player from two years ago,” said Schroeder. “However, I like the group of athletes that will be out for golf this year, which will promote quality competition for varsity spots.”

“Usually you build on last year’s knowledge and success, but those were mostly nonexistent, so we will have to learn quickly.”

Some golfers who could potentially fill out the team’s five-golfer lineup are junior Rease Hodkiewicz, sophomore Trevor Metzler and freshman Thomas Carmody.

Jaeger, now a senior, will look to use his experience gained in 2019 to lead the Panthers this spring.

“I just plan to lead by example and use my experience to help some of the other guys on the team understand the sport better,” said Jaeger. “We’ve been playing on our own time after practice and I’ve been teaching them the rules and getting them a better understanding of the game. I’m looking forward to this season.”

Oconto Falls will compete in the North Eastern Conference before joining the Division 2 field for the postseason.

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