MONTICELLO — The Monticello-Belleville golf team graduated just one senior from their fourth-place conference team last season: Xander Cribben. 

The team returns five golfers with varsity experience, including their 2022 MVP Joshua Potter. Individually, Potter tied for second in the regional meet and advanced to sectionals. He averaged a 43.1 in varsity matches as a sophomore.

Peyton Smith, another junior, averaged a 46.2 in his matches. As a freshman, Smith shot a 92 in the WIAA Division 2 New Glarus Regional, just two shots off from qualifying for sectionals. With his two-year performance, Smith earned the 2022 Team Most Improved Award.

Junior Casey Hagen also averaged below 50, with his 46.75. He and Cribben earned the Team Coaches Award in 2022. Reid Nolden brings his 50.1 average back to the team, too. Grant Grossen is the only senior this year, averaging a 47.6 last season.

Not only do these five have varsity experience, they know what it takes to improve and compete in the Capitol Conference.

“Experience will hopefully be a great strength this season, as we’re returning five varsity players from last year,” head coach Tyler Theden said. “These five players averaged a seven-stroke improvement from 2021 to the 2022 season.”

Theden expects Lodi and Cambridge remain at the top of the conference due to leadership and program tradition. This year, though, he hopes to be in the mix, too.

“I am hopeful with the returning five players we will be able to put ourselves near the top of the conference as well,” Theden said.