The Powell Panther golf team finished sixth at the state tournament in the 2022 season, and brings back a wealth of experience heading into the 2023 season with the Panthers expected to be in the mix for a trophy.

From the team a year ago, the Panthers lost only one player in the varsity rotation to graduation — while returning every athlete who went to the state tournament last year.

Leading the way as the team’s highest state placer last season is senior Gunnar Erickson, who snuck into the top 10 and earned All-State honors for the first time in his career.

The other athletes with state tournament experience include juniors Trey Scott and Jackson Hill and seniors Will Jackson and Isaiah Woyak, all of whom return with strong experience.

Another athlete expected to be in contention on the boys side is senior Andrew Jones, who made the state tournament in 2021 but did not make it in his junior year.

“I have six returning players that have competed at the state tournament, some of them for two or three years,” coach Troy Hildebrand said. “I really feel good about the core group of guys we bring back and we are adding some younger players that have some experience and have played quite a bit.”

The goal of being in trophy contention is attainable for the Panthers, with a group of teams expected to be competitive at the state tournament in just over five weeks’ time in Worland.

The competition at the top will be stiff, with two-time defending state champion Riverton returning the best golfer in the state in Parker Paxton and Evanston returning a strong core as runners-up a year ago.

“Riverton and Evanston are just kind of a notch above the rest of us,” Hildebrand said. “There’s a pretty good core of us that are in that next wave. Finishing in the top four or five at state would be good. It would be possible for them to sneak into third place for a trophy — that would be a nice accomplishment.”

He said that it has been nice for the golfers who have grown over the past couple of years to make the improvements they have, and challenging for several All-State spots would be a big step for a team that has consistently become more competitive over the last three years.

“It’s always nice when you are able to see some of those core guys out here getting in rounds over the summer,” Hildebrand said.

GIRLS’ TEAM DOUBLES

Just a year ago the girls’ team had one lone golfer in the program, sophomore Coy Erickson.

This year she will add a running mate to the mix, freshman Emery Hernandez.

“Adding Emery, she had quite a bit of experience and she is a good player,” Hildebrand said.

He said it would be great to have three girls on the team as that is the minimum needed to field a team score at the state tournament, as he believes the athletic ability of the players could shine through.

Erickson finished 26th at last year’s state tournament, improving her skill throughout the season after playing a small amount of golf before high school.

“Coy grew a lot, she had played a little golf before her freshman year,” Hildebrand said. “Last year she really improved and took a big step forward. She came in this year with a lot more confidence.”

The 3A field returns the three-time defending state champion in Erika Cook from Lovell, and the two-time defending team state champion in Wheatland. Hildebrand expects Erickson and Hernandez to be in the mix for top 10 finishes at several tournaments, with the sophomore and freshman hoping to make an impact this season.

HOME TOURNEY STARTS ACTION

The action kicks off immediately for the golf team, which only had three days of official practice before taking to the course. That opening course for the Panthers will be familiar, staying at home to host their own tournament Thursday (today) and Friday.

Action on Thursday kicks off at 1 p.m. while Friday will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Powell Golf Club.

“We will probably have eight boys that play both days and then our younger and less experienced players that play either Thursday or Friday. We will get most of our players on for one or both days,” Hildebrand said.

The season will continue quickly, with Powell heading to Cody next Tuesday and Wednesday for the second tournament of the season.