Three-Peat! Husky Linkers Capture Third-Straight State Title

For the third consecutive year, the West Holt golf squad brought home the top team title from the Class D state golf meet at North Platte's Lake Maloney Golf Course.

“I’m very excited,” stated senior Austin Wenner. “It was fun, but nerve racking the whole time. I was able to keep my nerves and had a good time. It was fun.”

The Huskies successfully defended their title by edging out North Platte St. Patrick’s by one stroke. West Holt combined to shoot a 355, while the Irish recorded a 356.

“It feels really great, especially today with the conditions being a little windier,” commented junior Garrison Hansen. “The scores were a little higher and I didn’t come in where I wanted to on the front, but I just kept playing through. I knew we were going to use my score. Everyone else stepped up, especially Austin Wenner. He shot great today. I’m proud of everyone.”

After graduating three seniors off of last year’s state championship team, the Huskies were not expected to be competing for a state title. West Holt defied the odds and captured its third-straight state crown.

“Garrison Hansen was here last year and he helped me out,” Wenner noted. “We had to be team leaders this year.”

Despite tough weather conditions with high winds and below average temperatures, West Holt was able to adjust to the adverse conditions on the back-nine to rally for the team title after sitting in third halfway through the meet.

“We’ve always had a deal to finish better on the back (nine),” Hansen remarked. “That’s what we aim to do every time. We also aim to shoot 84s as a collective group. We just had to finish strong, work with what we got and have fun.”

Wenner was the top golfer for the Huskies, placing third with an 81 to medal, while Hansen medaled after tying for seventh with an 83.

“It was a good time to have my best performance,” Wenner said. “What better time than at state.”

Jaxson Cadawallder tied for 34th with a 92, Max Roberts tied 50th with a 99 and Jaegher Ogden finished tied for 57th with a 101.

With only one senior gone off of this year’s team, the Huskies hope to be back at North Platte next year playing for their fourth consecutive title.

“It’s going to take a lot,” Hansen concluded. “It will take a lot of work and we’ll have to put in the work in the offseason and during the season to be prepared. We need leaders to show up, and we’ll be good.”