The Iola and Humboldt High golf programs have a good balance of veterans and newcomers. The Mustangs return a couple state qualifiers. Humboldt has one senior with the rest being freshmen and sophomores.
Iola
Iola head coach Jeremy Sellman is hoping his golfers can swing smooth enough to have a couple of state qualifiers this spring. Junior Chris Holloway was a state qualifier in 2021 and just missed state last year while Xander Sellman went to the state competition last year.
Sellman missed the state competition by only one stroke at the 2021 regional competition.
The Mustangs have 11 golfers including two seniors, five sophomores and four freshmen. The sophomores include Ethan Harris, Logan Yokum, Roper Curry, Isaac Hopkins and Konner Learney. The freshmen class includes Brennan Coffield, Baron Folk, Parker Andres and Briley Prather.
The expectations are highest for the pair of juniors, Sellman and Holloway. Coach Sellman believes the duo can help lead Iola to a team state championship title. Of the underclassmen, coach believes Coffield has the best chance at reaching state.
Sellman competed at the Wichita Junior Tour and summer camps at the University of Kansas throughout the offseason. The Mustangs will tee off at the Allen County Country Club for their home meets.
The Mustangs begin their season with a meet at Independence on April 6 at 1 p.m. The team hosts the Buck Quincy Tournament at the Allen County Country Club on April 24 at 11 a.m. On May 8, the Mustangs tee off against Chanute at the Chanute Country Club at 3 p.m.
Humboldt
The Cubs will be led on the golf course by their lone senior, William Kobold. Bret Hauser is head coach. Humboldt’s golf team has been nothing to write home about the past few years but with a true leader in place it could look different. 
Hauser said he is emphasizing growth and swinging the clubs better the deeper they get into the season.
Sophomores Luke McGowen, Curt Shannon and Lake Splane and freshmen Layne Ellison, Aiden Galloway, Logan Hutton, Creed Shannon and Maddox Wehlage will complete the pack. Most of the Cubs are all new to the game. This is only Kobold’s second year playing.
Hauser said keeping an even keel is key to playing golf. One bad hole can throw off a golfer’s entire game.
Humboldt tees off at Caney Valley at 1 p.m. Monday. The Cubs play at Burlington on April 4 at 1:30 p.m. Humboldt competes at Iola on April 24 at 11 a.m. before the Cubs host their lone home meet of the season on May 2 at 3 p.m.
