McDonald County girls golf returns three players with varsity experience to lead the way for the upcoming 2023 season.
After graduating a pair of top-flight seniors, the Mustangs will look at its returning experience to anchor the squad.
“The girls have developed a passion for the sport,” McDonald County coach Brent Jordan said. “That’s my ultimate goal, to have them fall in love with the game. Everything else is secondary. If they like it, they’ll put in the time and effort.”
Leading the list of returners for McDonald County is senior Kelsie Lilly, a four-year varsity letter winner.
“Kelsie Lilly is our leader,” Jordan said of his senior. “She’s great with the other girls, giving coaching tips or rides or whatever anyone needs.
“Her game has improved each of the past three years, placing in the top 15 at conference last season. I would not be surprised to see her improve enough to earn some all-area recognition. She’s solid off the tee, crafty around the greens. She was our most improved golfer last year, and she has continued to improve this offseason.”
Junior Scout Watson is back for her second year in the program, as is sophomore Raygan Allgood.
New to the varsity squad will be junior Madisyn Merkle.
“Madisyn is improving daily, really striking the ball well this week,” Jordan said of his returners. “Scout was new last year. She improved throughout the season. Her strength is being steady off the tee; rarely does she miss-hit a ball.
“Raygan’s ability to smash a drive was her strength. She has been able to develop some consistency in her short game so far this season.”
The outlook is bright for McDonald County girls golf. Coach Jordan has been pleased with the progress he’s seen from his golfers and is excited to see how it translates on the course this season.
“Our offseason participation this summer has been the best (in the three years) since I’ve been coaching here,” Jordan said. “The girls really put in the extra time this summer to get better. It is already showing in practice. We are hopeful to add another one or two when school starts, but I really like the four we have—I can live with that for now!”
With seven returning starters and a number of promising newcomers, the Webb City High School boys swimming and diving team has the expectations set high entering the 2023 season.
“I’m excited to see what these guys can do,” Webb City coach Shawn Klosterman said. “It will be tough to get our relays into state this year, but the boys are pretty focused on getting into the MSHSAA Championship in as many events as possible. We are returning one individual state qualifier (Micah Brouwer) but a few of the guys put in the work this summer and have put themselves in position to have a shot.”
Senior standout Micah Brouwer is the team’s returning individual state-qualifier, as he finished 18th in the prelims of the 100-yard breaststroke at last year’s state meet. Brouwer also competed at last year’s state meet as part of two relays, the 200 medley and the 400 freestyle.
Brouwer was last year’s Central Ozark Conference champion in the 100 breaststroke while also finishing third in the 200 individual medley.
Other returning starters for the Cardinals are seniors Steve Kenlee (butterfly, freestyle) and Aiden Patterson (distance freestyle), juniors Adrien Black (distance freestyle), Dagan Chacon (freestyle, backstroke) and Landon Sharon (diving) and sophomore Dalton Spence (breaststroke, individual medley).
Kenlee placed third in the 200 freestyle and fifth in the 100 butterfly at last year’s COC Meet.
The group of returning starters are expected to lead the Cardinals this fall.
“Our upperclassmen have great experience and are really helping the younger guys to assimilate into the program,” Klosterman said. “I think we’ll be able to put together great relays even after losing several heavy hitters to graduation last year. Landon Sharon will most likely qualify for state in diving and having his experience there looks like it is bringing our new divers up to a competitive level pretty quickly. I think local teams will be surprised by the strength of our diving with only one returner.”
Newcomers who are expected to contribute are junior Derrick Crook (diving), sophomores Grant Humphrey (diving) and Lincoln Swann (diving) and freshmen Quentin Custenborder (freestyle), Cole Dalton (backstroke, sprint freestyle) and Isaac Shipley (breaststroke, IM).
How the team’s newcomers progress and contribute will be a key to success for the Cardinals. Klosterman hopes to see steady improvements throughout the season, with peaking at the end of the campaign always a goal.
“I think we are going to see a season with a lot of individual improvement and it will be competitive for our guys to earn spots on the A relay teams to try get qualified for state,” Klosterman said. “The boys will be pushing each other all the way.”
Klosterman, who is in his 25th season leading the Cardinals, noted the team lost a solid group of seniors to graduation.
With that, there are some holes to fill.
“We graduated some heavy hitters last year with Judah Ritchie, Emiliano Vasquez and Cody Herndon all leaving vital spots empty in our state relays,” Klosterman said.
Klosterman added there are always challenges entering a new season, but with hard work the team will have a shot at a successful year.
“I think the challenge this season will be getting the boys into better shape than they have ever been,” he said. “The returning guys know that if we’re going to get into the state meet this year they have to turn in times that are next level compared to where they ended the season last year. Another challenge will be that even though our new freshmen have some swimming experience, they will be training at a higher level and will have to step up in a big way.”
The Cardinals finished second at last year’s COC Meet after winning the event the two previous years. Webb City would love to take back the team trophy this fall.
“The COC is always a focus for us and this year we know that Carthage will be loaded and tough to beat,” Klosterman said. “We have an advantage with four divers on the roster, and our incoming freshmen are not inexperienced. I think we will fill the events well enough to give them a challenge.”
The Cardinals, who went 22-4 in duals last year, open the ’23 season on Aug. 31 in Springfield.
Webb City will host the annual Red Bird Invitational on Oct. 7 and the Cardinals will host the Central Ozark Conference Meet on Oct. 17.
Steve Kenlee will once again be a key performer for the Webb City Cardinals.
