Coming off the best season in school history, the Montezuma-Cortez High School golf team knows whats at hand.
In 2010, the Panthers won the Western Slope League championship and placed second at the 4A Colorado State Championships in Colorado Springs.
M-CHS sent two of its golfers to the college ranks with Brian Grubbs playing at Saint Peters College in New Jersey and Chris Black staying in Colorado at Trinidad State College.
Three major puzzle pieces return for the Panthers with senior Chris Aiken and sophomore Jakob Rudosky from last years state qualifying team. Junior Keith Hawkins, who played in all the regular season tournaments, is back.
The bar has been set, expectations are high and the target has been placed on M-CHS. Thats just fine with the Panthers.
We still have a strong, strong team, M-CHS coach Micah Rudosky said. We had our first qualifying round (on Wednesday at Conquistador Golf Course), and we had four of those rounds in the 70s. Thats a good sign for me. That shows these kids can score well.
The Panthers will start five. In addition to Aiken, Jakob Rudosky and Hawkins, freshmen Hayden Plewe and Ryan Aiken round out the starting lineup.
With strong experience mixed with youth, the Panthers look prime for a WSL title repeat.
We should stay pretty solid. Were going to be a top team this year, Micah Rudosky said. We play our game; were going to be right there with everybody else. Im very confident we can make state.
Rival Montrose will challenge for the WSL championship. Fellow WSL opponents Durango, Grand Junction and Grand Junction Central will be tough.
Jakob Rudosky played his best at state last year to finish 18th in 4A with scores of 77 and 75 totaling 152 at Flying Horse Golf Club in Colorado Springs at the two-day tournament.
Chris Aiken placed seventh in 4A at state last season and shot a team best of 75 and 72 for a total of 147. The lone senior has quickly embraced the role of captain.
I got to be like a leader to the guys. Especially this year. We got a lot of kids that are younger, Chris Aiken said. I just kind of show them what we do and what its about. I cant believe Im a senior already. It will be fun.
Aiken and Rudosky have played in summer tournaments to increase their game and prepare for the upcoming season, which begins on Tuesday at the Book Cliff Invitational at Grand Junction High School at 9 a.m.
I played a lot this summer. I got high expectations, Chris Aiken said. Ive been traveling all summer, really. It helps just getting that tournament competition and experience. It really helps with regionals and state on how to handle the pressure, how to deal with different situations. Its really valuable.
Another goal for Aiken is to continue the M-CHS tradition of taking his golf game to the college level. But hes going to savor every moment of his final high school season.
Its exciting. (I have) one more year. (Im going to) have fun, Chris Aiken said. Were ready.
The Panthers will hit the green running next week with four tournaments. Following the Book Cliff Invite, M-CHS will tee off at the Tiara Rado Invitational (Grand Junction Central High School) on Wednesday, and then hit the Montrose Bridges and Black Canyon Invitationals on Thursday and Friday.
The Panthers will host the M-CHS Invitational on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Conquistador Golf Course. It is the only home tournament for M-CHS. The Panthers won the M-CHS Invite last year and set a course team record for lowest score. Micah Rudosky expects his group to perform at the same level at home this year.
It shows us how we are as a team. Last year we did really well here, he said. They play this course all the time. Its very important to do well at your home course. They know that. They go out there and play their best every time.
Micah Rudosky also welcomes the addition of Todd Plewe to his coaching staff this year. Keenan Lovett will see assisting duties as well.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.