MFL MarMac Golf Preview: Coach eying another year of success for golf program
The MFL MarMac boys golf team includes (front, left to right) Austin Trappe, Brock Hackett, Ben Krambeer, Quinn McGeough, Jaron Wille; (second row) Quentin Torkelson, Noah Troester, Gage Paulus, Aidan Meyer, Dayne Anderson, Auston Lind, Jaxon Lamborn, Jarett Hanson, Brodyn Blietz; (third row) Koda Warrington, Joshua Schierholz, Wesley Corlett, Will Miller, Hunter Johnson, Ashton Phillips, Maddox Hanson, assistant coach Mike Meyer; (fourth row) assistant coach Dave Corlett, Kyler Nuerhing, Kaleb Nuerhing, Cael Lightfoot, Kase Paulus, Jace Waters and head coach Jake Wilke. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
The MFL MarMac girls golf team includes (front, left to right) Mariah Moser, Kaylee Baker, Morgan Jacobson, Devon Meyer, Jerica Wille; (middle) Julia Grau, Lily Johnson, Hannah Jacobson, Taylor Randall, Mattie Hallberg, Kytlee Warrington; (back) assistant coach Dave Corlett, head coach Jake Wilke, Hadyn Meyer, Macy McGeough, Ashlyn Blake, Taryn Moser and assistant coach Mike Meyer. Not pictured is Rachael Keehner. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Head coach Jake Wilke is eying another year of success for the MFL MarMac boys and girls golf teams. Both squads come into the season with strong numbers—including both experienced returners and players looking to step into elevated roles.
“The boys have led the way with success the last couple of years, getting a couple guys to state, winning multiple conference championships and having quite a few conference individual champs as well...Now, my expectations for the girls are super, super high too,” Wilke said. “For both teams, coach-ability has been outstanding. The culture is really good. The attitude toward the program and wanting to be successful has been awesome.”
Leading the Bulldog boys are seniors Ben Krambeer, a state qualifier last year, and Quinn McGeough, a previous Upper Iowa Conference champion. Wilke anticipates juniors Jarett Hanson and Wesley Corlett and senior Jaron Wille to slot into the top six as well.
Due to MFL MarMac’s depth, the coach said multiple golfers are vying for the six through eight positions from meet to meet. That includes seniors Austin Trappe and Brock Hackett; juniors Jace Waters, Auston Lind and Aidan Meyer; sophomores Jaxon Lamborn, Ashton Phillips, Will Miller and Dayne Anderson; and freshman Maddox Hanson.
Wilke said it will depend on who can best make the jump to the varsity level and play consistently.
“It’s going to be a numbers game all the way until conference, when I have to have those six,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the competitive nature of that.
On the girls side, there are very few teams around here who are going to be able to compete with us and our depth,” according to Wilke. “We’re going to have five or six girls who are shooting in the 40s. That’s unheard of. We’re pretty stacked.”
The Bulldogs boast returning UIC champ, junior Devon Meyer, as well as senior Morgan Jacobson, junior Kaylee Baker, sophomore Hannah Jacobson and freshman Hadyn Meyer. Similar to the boys, Wilke has depth to fill the remaining spots. That includes juniors Jerica Wille and Mariah Moser, sophomore Taylor Randall and freshman Macy McGeough.
Although it’s hard to mimic working inside and not on the golf course, Wilke said all the golfers have been focusing on their short game ahead of the season. They’ve also been working on their swings.
“We do a really good job of breaking down people’s stances, their swings. Paying attention to what they’re doing well and focusing on that, but also working on things they’re not doing well and making those strengths,” Wilke explained.
His goal is for competitors or spectators—without looking at the MFL MarMac polo, jacket or bag—to know an MFL MarMac golfer based on their swing.
“Very smooth, rhythmic, not trying to kill it, paying attention to the details. Visualize your shots before you hit it. All those things set us apart from other programs,” Wilke said.
Another important aspect is making good contact, and also evaluating what to do when you don’t make good contact. The mental side of the game.
“I always tell the kids that golf is 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical. If you’ve already hit a good shot, it doesn’t mean the next one is going to be good. If you have a bad shot, that doesn’t mean your whole round is going to be bad. Move on and be better and approach the next shot like we should,” Wilke shared.
The varsity golf season will get underway for both the MFL MarMac girls and boys at Anamosa on Monday, April 7. They will then golf at Edgewood-Colesburg on Saturday, April 12. Wilke hopes this will provide the Bulldogs with some different competition before hitting the conference schedule.
The coach called the golf season a “fast and furious” one, but an exciting one with the caliber of talent.
“It’s going to be a great season,” he said.
