Mike Holtmeier and the Lutheran St. Charles boys golf team aren't ready for the ride to end just yet.
A trio of sophomores - Justin Wrozier, Matt Niewald and Alex McKay - will all try to keep it going.
Holtmeier, the Cougars' coach, said the runner-up team finish Lutheran had last year in Class 2 may have been even more impressive than its 2009 first-place finish at state.
"Two years ago we were state champions but last year in many respects was even more special," Holtmeier said. "When we went to the state tournament we only qualified four golfers (instead of five) which is quite a handicap. Those four golfers overcame a lot and to get second place in that situation was amazing. The guys felt it was the equivalent to winning another state championship."
The Cougars had an individual state champion in Sam Deitte, who won the title at Silo Ridge Golf Club in Bolivar by a single stroke. Along with state qualifier Blake Edler, Deitte has since graduated but the influence he had on the team is still present.
"When Sam won that championship it meant so much to our program," Holtmeier said. "He was a great leader and teacher to our other players and I think our entire team was appreciative of that. It was just a tremendous culminating (moment) for him to win the award and the entire team to be able to celebrate with him."
Replacing Deitte and Edler, as well as senior Mike Thompson, who missed qualifying for state by one stroke, was originally thought to be a difficult challenge.
"Obviously when you graduate so much the biggest question is how to replace these guys," Holtmeier said. "That was a huge concern. We knew we had a strong nucleus coming back and that we'd be young, but the enthusiasm they've gained from competing became contagious with the rest of the team."
Wrozier is the team's top returning player. He finished 19th at state as a freshman after shooting an 82 on both days of the competition for a solid score of 164.
Niewald is another returning state qualifier. He tied for 72nd at Silo Ridge with a 181.
Edler's graduation creates an opportunity for McKay to step into his vacated role.
"All three have been consistent shooting and they've taken turns being medalists for us in events," said Holtmeier, whose team has won its five dual competitions and placed third at the Cave Springs Invitational on Monday despite being one of the smallest schools in the field of competition.
Two other underclassmen will have a chance to compete for one of the team's top five spots. Holtmeier is high on freshman Blake Bredensteiner whose confidence has grown a lot in a short period of time. Sophomore Bradley Boone is relatively inexperienced but is also driven to succeed.
And Reed McEwen, the team's lone senior, is a varsity regular for the first time in his career.
"The concerns I had at the beginning of how we would replace those guys kind of answered itself," Holtmeier said. "It all began with the work they put in over the summer and they've really looked forward for this opportunity to be the varsity team now. They know this is a special group that will be together for three years."
The Cougars will see how far along they are come April 12 when they take on defending champion Whitfield at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles.
Francis Howell • Coming off a season in which it placed ninth as a team at the Class 4 state tournament at Sedalia Country Club, Francis Howell returns another strong lineup with many of the same faces.
The team's most notable loss to graduation is Nick Holder.
But the Vikings return their top four guys including Mike Wootten, who tied Fort Zumwalt West's Stephen Freund and two others for 13th place at state with a 151. He placed 22nd as a freshman and is continually aiming higher.
"He's an unbelievable golfer," Howell coach Carl Wayne said. "He's finished tied for first in districts the last two years."
Also representing Howell a year ago at state, junior Cody Stoll finished tied for 66th with a 162, senior Alex Stear tied for 83rd with a 164 and senior Ryan Staggemeier tied for 89th with a 165.
Add senior T.J. Lyons to the mix and Howell returns one of the strongest lineups in St. Charles County.
"Within the program there's been a lot of competition, so I think there's an internal motivation with this team," Wayne said. "Guys push each other to get better and really one up each other, even at practice."
Warrenton • A 10th-place finisher last year in Class 3, Warrenton returns the two major contributors from that squad in seniors Mikal Harpster and Patrick Koch.
Coach Rich Barton hopes the duo can again be the team's foundation players and possibly help the Warriors make a return trip to state.
"Those are two pretty experienced golfers," Barton said. "It's nice starting a new year out with them. We're looking for big things from those guys."
Harpster is coming off a season in which he shot a 163 and finished tied for 52nd at the Class 3 competition at Island Green Golf Club in Republic.
Koch was neck-and-neck with his teammate throughout, finishing tied for 59th with a 165.
This year freshman Ethan Luecke is slated to be Warrenton's No. 3 golfer while four others vie for the final two spots.
"As long as we play consistent, good things can happen," Barton said. "We're hoping to finish in the upper echelon of the GAC North and challenge incumbent Washington for the conference championship."
