Highland High School golf teams primed for big seasons in the Mississippi Valley Conf.
A talented and experienced lineup led by three seniors has things looking very promising for a big 2024 campaign for the Highland High School boys golf team.
The girls’ team, meanwhile, is primed for a big season as it seeks to build on a second-place finish in the Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament last year.
Senior Braden Schropf, Connor Reinarman, and Bryce Eddy form the core of the Bulldogs’ returning players for this fall.
“They’ve had a ton of varsity experience since they were freshmen, so I think physically they’re definitely ready and mentally I think there are no more excuses. They should not be nervous going up against upperclassmen or other players,” Highland coach Brendan Barghetzi said. “They know what to expect.”
Juniors Tyler Koerkenmeier and Noah Cooper will round out the top five spots for HHS.
“They’ve probably played more tournaments than anybody,” especially Noah, as he plays in different tournaments over the state,” Barghetzi said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they get number one spots on the team or just win a tournament, so we’re definitely top-heavy age-wise, but that’s a good thing.”
As far as the sixth and final top spot goes, junior Nolan Houchins and senior Carter Holthaus making their case to take the sixth spot in the lineup.
“Nolan Houchins has been practicing a lot this summer and had some decent 9-hole scores,” Barghetzi said. “Carter Holthaus is s senior who’s a really athletic kid in basketball and baseball and I’m confident he could compete for a spot.”
Barghetzi also said there are a few freshmen that could crack the lineup during the season.
Another big plus for the Bulldogs this fall is a big turnout as Highland has 25 players out for the program, including 19 freshmen. It is the biggest roster HHS has had since 2004.
“Golf is just booming all over and all these kids just want to come out and play as well,” Barghetzi said. “It’s good for the future of Highland golf. It’s cool to see when these freshmen get interested and get hooked on it.”
The Bulldogs boys golfers open the season on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the MVC Co-Ed Scramble at Cardinal Creek Golf Course at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville
While the Highland boys golf team is primed for a big season, the Highland girls golf team will also seek to build on a solid 2023 campaign that saw them finish second in the Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament.
Senior Sidney Coziar, and juniors Allie Zappia, Chloe Gould, Kendall Janini, Jossilyn Gaffner, Alex Pokojski, and sophomore Mia Emig are expected to form the heart of the rotation for Highland.
Freshmen Kendall Koerkenmeier and Brier Engelmann will round out the varsity roster for Highland.
Highland coach Jordan Keeven is very impressed with the talent level of this year’s group.
“We have a lot of natural athletes and a lot of potential talent this around,” Keeven said I’m excited to see how much work the girls put in because I think that we have great opportunities throughout the season to best some pretty tough competition.”
One big help for the club will be its ability to play well in all phases of the game whether it’s driving, chipping, pitching, or putting, this group of players is solid across the board.
“It’s really a mix of all of it,” Keeven said. “They all have their own specialties. Sidney and Alex can just drive the ball just unbelievably far and Mia is so consistent and Ally was draining 30-foot putts yesterday at tryouts, so they all kind of have their specialties that are gonna work great as a team.”
The HHS girls will open the season on Saturday with the Fall Kick-Off at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Godfrey.