The 2018 Triad boys golf team is, from the left, row one: Cole Pond, Payton Oyer, Jacob Miller, Travis Colp and Evan Colp; second row, Jalen Nott, Devin Butz, Ryan Groves, Mason Johnson, Hunter Talbot, Matt Florkowski and coach John Millice.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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The Triad Cardinals golf teams are hoping for some conference success this season. Triad may be a small school, but its golf teams are not.
The boys have a roster of 15 golfers with plenty of youthful talent in waiting.
“For the boys side we have 15 golfers and about 10 of them are going to be seeing varsity time during the year,” said coach John Millice. “It is nice to have internal competition.”
However, the real heart of the order is going to come from the sophomore class, according to Millice.
“We have a great sophomore class,” he said. “That is really the nice thing, as they battle, compete and hopefully improve together.”
With the impressive numbers this season, Millice is looking to a few key players to help lead the crew.
“The leader is probably going to be Cole Pond,” he said. “He’s led the team in most of our golf matches so far. He is looking for some league recognition and the end of the year.
“James Russell is one of the seniors and has done pretty well in matches this year,” said Millice. “Hopefully he can get some league recognition, along with Devin Butz. I would say they are going to be our consistent top three boys at least in the upper tier.”
Along with the sophomore class, the boys have four seniors who will help lead with two being new to the team.
However, both newcomers have previous golf experience that will help in the team’s efforts this season, said Millice.
“Two of our seniors are new this year, but they are experienced golfers,” he said. “That is nice, because you are not taking on someone that is learning the sport.”
The Cardinals hope to be competitive with the Ohio Heritage Conference while working towards advancing in tournament play.
The Lady Cardinals, don’t have the numbers like the boys, but what they lack in size they make up for in talent.
Triad will be led by Kayleigh Boldman, a two-year letter-winning senior who coach Patrick Johnson said “is looking at competing for league player of the year this season.
“Boldman is the most experienced golfer on the team and earned second-team OHC honors last year,” said Johnson. “She was a top six golfers in the league last year.”
Boldman will be joined by fellow letter winners Shelby Sheets, Kallie Smith, Olivia Butz and Anna Nott.
The team only has one new player on the roster in Joni Russell. With nearly the entire team experienced letter winners, Johnson said that the Lady Cardinals will be competitive in every match this season.
“When playing to their potential this team can advance in the tournament and be at the top tier of the OHC,” he added.”
With both Cardinal golf teams looking strong in their own way, Triad is looking to have some success this season on the golf course and possible add a few more banners to the walls of the gym.