The 2019 Pioneer varsity boys golf team is pictured from left, front row, Mychal McKeney and Matthew Fox; second row, coach Mitch Koester, Tyler Hilbert, Hayden Mitchell, Chase Pond, Liam Thompson and coach Brandon Whitt.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The 2019 Lady Pioneer golf team is pictured from the left, front row, Maggie Malessa, Josie Campbell, Mary Miller, Kennedy Wilson and Katie LeMaster; second row, Gretchen Roaden, Alex Shaw, Annie Ratliff, coach Sheri Hooley, Katie Hooley, Olivia McCoy and Madi Baker.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
A veteran team greeted Jonathan Alder boys golf coach Mitch Koester at the start of the 2019 campaign.
“We have our entire varsity team back this year,” he said.
The Pioneers are led by seniors Mychal McKelvey (Central Buckeye Conference Player of the Year, second-team Central District), Tyler Hilbert (first-team CBC, honorable mention Central District), Hayden Mitchell (first-team CBC, second-team Central District), Liam Thompson (honorable mention CBC), Chase Pond and Matthew Fox.
Although the Pioneers are laden with veterans, Koester said he also likes what he sees for the future.
“There were a few sophomores and a couple of freshmen who impressed during recent qualifiers and who may compete for varsity spots as the season progresses,” he said. “The entire JV team performed well the first week of the season and should have a very successful year.”
McKelvey tied the school record for nine-hole average last season with a 38.8.
Mitchell was fourth all-time at 39.6 and Koester expects both of them to improve on those numbers.
“Tyler Hilbert has worked extremely hard this off-season and has shown great improvement, so we expect to see a low average from him as well,” said the coach.
Alder ran the table in the CBC to claim the 2018 Kenton Trail divisional championship.
“One of our goals every year is to win our league and that is no different this year,” said Koester.
JA took the first step toward that goal by winning the circuit’s preseason tournament.
“We also want to win both the Union and Madison county tournaments, which is what we did last year,” said the coach.
“Our final goal is to qualify for the district tournament, which we’ve done each of the past two years,” said Koester. “This year – with the state’s new attendance numbers – we moved up to Division I, which is very competitive in the Central District.
“It will be a much more difficult task this year, but with this team I am very confident that we can be successful.”
JA girls have veterans
Jonathan Alder’s girls golf squad features seven returning lettermen.
They include Madi Baker, Kennedy Wilson, Annie Ratliff, Sydney Miller, Olivia McCoy, Katie LeMaster and Katie Hooley.
Newcomers to the varsity program include Morgan Beachy, Macy Miller, Maggie Matessa, Gretchen Roaden and Alex Shaw.
Head coach Sheri Hooley said the squad has been working hard to gear up for the season.
“Our scores for the preseason tournament were already lower than our ending scores last year,” she said. “All of the work the girls put in during the off-season is paying off.
“Our goal is for every varsity player to shoot under 50 (for nine holes) on a consistent basis,” she said. “We’re almost there.”