By: Jackson Williams

Winter sports are coming to an end, and spring sports have begun practices and workouts. The Trojan boys golf team is starting their season after losing six seniors, two of which were All-State selections. After finishing as the state runner-up last season, he team is hoping to build off of their post-season run, returning Noah Gillard and Ethan Shepherd who were instrumental in last year’s title run.

“We expect to be back; we have the talent coming into the program to where we can make another run and have a chance for a strong showing in the tournament,” coach Jim Williams said after last year’s season was over.

The boys golf season is a long season that stretches into the middle of the summer. Golfers play long six hour rounds that require physical strength and mental toughness. To maximize their abilities, the golf team has been lifting in the off-season with Coach Mills.

“The weights program here is great for the golf team because it gets us in shape for the season,” senior Tyler Rankel said.   “The challenging lifts and physical toll it takes on your body makes a player mentally tougher, which translates to success out on the course.”

During the winter the team has tried to stay as close to season ready as possible by hitting indoors and getting on the course whenever the weather is nice.

“Being in top physical condition is important for golf season because toward the end of the season other players are having to deal with injuries while we don’t because of the great job Coach Mills does with our team,” sophomore Noah Gillard said.

The boys golf team was the No. 1 ranked team in the state for most of the season after taking the top spot from Westfield. This season the team is looking to build off their second place finish to finish one spot higher: state champions.

“Our goals as a team have not changed even though we lost three of our top golfers. We expect nothing less than a trip to the state finals,” junior Jacob Sanders said. “The goal is still to win state and that will not change.”

After the state tournament, the entire team played summer and fall golf that helped them prepare for the upcoming season.

“By playing on the Indy Junior Tour, IGA Masters Tour, and AJGA events, our team feels prepared for every type of course we will play, and every type of tournament we will compete in this season,” senior Jacob McCarty said.