Witt-Birn boys golf team expects to be in CWC title hunt again

By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School boys golf team was in the hunt for a Central Wisconsin Conference title the last time the team was in action. Now nearly two years later, the team is still expecting to compete for a conference title.

“We have very high expectations this season and feel we are in a good position to compete for a conference title,” said long-time Witt-Birn coach Chris Bartletti. “We had a great team last season and were very disappointed — as were many teams — not to be able to compete.”

Bartletti said there are 20 players intending to play golf this spring, giving him plenty of options as the season progresses.

Leading the way will be senior Ian Resch, who Bartletti expects to be in the running for the top individual player in the conference.

“We definitely expect to compete even though we lost two of our top five (from 2019). We are gaining new golfers who will hopefully help us toward the goal of a conference title,” said Resch, who hopes to end the year competing at state. “I will try my best to help lead the team and help everyone keep their heads on their shoulders.

“Most of these guys have not been playing for very long, so to have the opportunity to compete for a conference title is really a blessing. Missing last year really dampened the team’s spirits, but we hope to pick up right where we left off.”

In his sophomore season, Resch made the all-conference first team, often carding the best round on the team, which ended the season competing at sectionals.

Also back from that five-player sectional team that year are senior Maverick Beran and junior Calvin Scheurer.

Senior Brian Nelson and junior Isabella Hegewald also return with plenty of varsity experience, despite not having a spring season a year ago.

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