HAGERSTOWN, Ind. – Maintaining an athletic program’s success is sometimes a difficult task.
The Hagerstown boys golf team spent this week preparing for a third straight championship in Wayne County Tournament at Winding Branch in Pershing.
With poor conditions due to weather, Saturday’s event was postponed until May 31 at 10 a.m.
“County is always a goal,” Hagerstown junior Kyle Cochran said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to win it the past two years.”
The tournament was to be the first step in season goals for the Tigers, who are currently unbeaten in six dual contests and 4-0 in Tri-Eastern Conference play.
“This is where the hard work comes into play,” Hagerstown Head Coach Billy Mullin said the county tournament. “It’s something to hang your hat on. It’s given our team confidence that they can shut the door in a tournament.”
In order for Hagerstown to win the title for a third straight time later this month, the Tigers must adapt to the course to compete with Centerville, Lincoln and Northeastern.
“We’re going to have to meet that challenge on a course that probably favors them,” Mullin said. “Winding Branch is not a long course.”
“Whenever we play a shorter course, it favors the opposition rather than when we play a long course,” Mullin continued. “We’re going to have to be pretty precise and our chipping a putting is going to have to be spot on if we’re going to compete.”
Kyle Cochran was an all-county performer last spring, while his twin brother Caleb earned a spot on the team two years ago. Kevin Beeson is another junior on the squad.
“Our three juniors have been tremendous,” Mullin said. “I’m very proud of all three of them for the improvements they’ve made and the leaders they are becoming.”
Replacing 4-year letter winners Jonathan Clark and Ben Tinkle from last season was the first thing this year’s team needed to accomplish.
“We lost two really important players,” Kyle Cochran said. “We’ve had to step up and take the leadership roles. I’m pleased with our scores, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Freshman Carson Orr has joined the team and earlier this week he carded a 38 to lead the Tigers to a 161-189 victory at Winchester.
“Carson Orr has given us a lot of confidence because of his junior golf experience,” Mullin said. “He fits right in with our team, so our chemistry is really good.”
The Cochran brothers and Beeson each shot a 41 in the win over the Golden Falcons.
“We’ve done better than we did last year and we’re improving,” Caleb Cochran said. “We’re on track to be really good.”
Juniors Austin Herr, Christian James and Luke Lannan, sophomores Alec Shilling and Luke Girdley along with freshmen Eli Richards and Nick Habzansky have added to the success this spring.
“I’m very happy with where we are at right now,” Mullin said. “There’s still things to do.”
“We try to win every match that we play in, but the county tournament, the conference and the state tournament are the three big things on our mind,” Mullin added.