Rochester boys golf previews: Rosters feature good mix of experienced players, newcomers

Apr. 20—MAYO SPARTANS

Head coach: Gunnar Olson

2019 season: The Spartans placed fourth in the Big Nine, third in Section 1AA and senior Layke Moger qualified for state.

Key golfers: Ethan Norman is a returning varsity golfer. He'll lead the way for Mayo along with senior Deep Patel, who played on the JV two years ago. Junior Kole Forsthoffer is a top newcomer, who'll be in his first season with the Spartans this spring.

Coach Olson says: "It's early but our Spartans have worked hard since the start of the season. We have a lot of guys dedicated to the game and they are a fun group to work with. I am excited to see how we compete and to see how the season shapes out.

Meet the Spartans: Seniors — Nate Williamson, Deep Patel, Sam Nelson, Caleb Juen. Juniors — Ethan Norman, Tanmay Iyer, Charlie Holtan, Payton Evans, Kole Forsthoffer, Chandler Dennis. Sophomores — Matthew Siems, Ryan Dripps, Ethan Dennis. Freshmen — Will Smith, Quentin Sharp, Mikkel Norby, Mikah Nelson, Dylan Maday, Will Kipp, Nate Jones, Braylon Gurtner, Rees Grimsrud, Owen Frick, Aiden Frick, Jack Bowron. Eighth-grader — Tim Sexton. Seventh-graders — Will Gyarmaty, Dawson Desjardins.

LOURDES EAGLES

Head coach: Jeff True

2019 season: Seniors Kyle Hickey and Luke Alexander placed in the top 25 at the Class AA state meet. Hickey placed 11th and Alexander 23rd. Alexander was the Section 1AA runner-up, while Hickey placed third.

Key golfers: Will Pederson, Thomas Benner, Alex Olson and Jack Black return with varsity experience. Eli Fiek, Charlie Kielty and Colton Rich will be among the Eagles' top newcomers.

Coach True says: "There will be a lot of competition in practice and qualifying rounds for our fourth through sixth spots each week. Our varsity roster will be fluid, giving as many who are able the experience of getting varsity time during competitions. We are a young team, with no seniors. Our expectations are to be competitive in our area and of course have a lot of fun."

Meet the Eagles: Aidan Kane, Alex Olson, Charlie Kielty, Colton Rich, Conor Kane, Cullen Chase, Eli Fiek, Eric Nelson, Finley Chase, Grady Bargfrede, Jack Black, Jack McCabe, Jackson Heim, Jesse Leis, John Fritzjunker, Michael Price, Nickolas Singer, Nixon Shull, Thomas Benner, Thomas Karau, Will Pederson, Andrew Haworth.

JOHN MARSHALL ROCKETS

Head coach: Dwight Miller

2019 season: The Rockets had one golfer qualify for the final round of the Section 1AAA meet, Erick Bromberg, who placed 37th and broke 90 in both rounds. The Rockets placed 10th in the 12-team Big Nine Conference meet.

Key golfers: The Rockets, while relatively inexperienced at the varsity level, have some talented players vying for lineup spots. In their 21-shot win over Owatonna in their opener on April 12, JM's top four included a senior (Nick Wiest), two sophomores (Graham Freed, Mason Decker) and an eighth-grader (Ole Fevold). The Rockets have 20 players out, led by five seniors.

Meet the Rockets: Seniors — Patrick Winter, Nick Wiest, Jack Ward, Daniel Nicometo, Kyle Day. Juniors — Camdon Magle, Jacob Anes Dy Quiangco. Sophomores — Graham Freed, Blake Kanz, Mason Decker, Cody Ahlstrom. Freshmen — Nolan Laack, Damon Miller, Tyler Mlenar, Andrew Billadeau. Eighth-graders — Olin Fevold, Drew Glandon, Peyton Eckhoff, Maxwell Nguyen, Brock Clarey.

CENTURY PANTHERS

Head coach: Lance Dahl

2019 season: The Panthers placed eighth in the Big Nine meet and had three golfers qualify for the second day of the Section 1AA meet, including Hanson and Oyen.

Key golfers: Century's top players with varsity experience include Josh Hanson, Shawn Erickson and Sam Hirsch. Joe Nesler, Jacob Shamblin and Zach Blixt are some of the top varsity newcomers, while Kroix Klingfus, Bo Bondy, Walt Oyen, Brennan Weckwerth and Grant Rosin are expected to challenge for varsity lineup positions throughout the season.

Coach Dahl says: "Our kids want to get redemption from missing out on last year. Last year, we felt we would have a solid team until the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated the season. This year's guys really want to rise up and play well. Not just for this year's squad, but for those 2020 Seniors that missed-out on a season. We have so many wonderful upper-classmen, as well as new kids that simply love to play golf."

Meet the Panthers: Seniors — Josh Berthiaume, Josh Hanson. Juniors — Zachary Blixt, Joseph Nesler, Walter Oyen. Sophomores — Shawn Erickson, Charles Graves, Samuel Hirsch, Kroix Klingfus, Dawson Krause, Grant Rosin, Jacob Shamblin. Freshmen — Bo Bondy, Maxwell Oftedahl, Ethan Schrandt. Eighth-graders — Brekken Deweese, Ryker Hansen, Ashton Schuder. Seventh-graders — Jamison Sutton, Brennan Weckwerth.