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The Grand Island Northwest boys golf team is aiming to build on its success after last season's impressive finish.
A year ago, the Vikings qualified for the Class B state meet with a third-place district finish and went on to take fifth place at state.
Two starters return from last year's squad in seniors Nathan Cox and Max Luber. Cox recorded a fifth-place individual finish at state.
"We have two golfers back from last year that have state golf experience and we have some golfers that gained some valuable meet experience last year," GINW 10th-year coach Dave Marron said. "We were more competitive last year, won some meets and placed fifth at state."
The Vikings will have to overcome some key losses to graduation, including 10th-place individual state finisher Glenn Bills. Also gone are two-time state qualifier Andy Greer, state qualifier Kevin Neville, Everett Michael and Dex Mendyk.
GINW will look to fill the gaps with returning lettermen in senior Mike Winder and juniors Kurt Bills and Jake McMahon. Other prospects include seniors James Kenyon and Greg Saunders.
"We need to work to improve each day in practice and at each meet we compete in," Marron said. "We must continue to work hard to improve to reach the next level."
Northwest is scheduled to open its season at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the York Triangular at York Country Club. The Vikings play their first home event Thursday when they host Aurora and Hastings St. Cecilia at Jackrabbit Run Golf Course.
Marron expects some of the top teams in Class B this season to include Adams Central, Scottsbluff, Beatrice, Nebraska City and Sidney.
"There are some outstanding golf teams that we must compete against in the area and in our district," Marron said. "How much we improve on the little things and our mental approach to the game will determine how competitive we will be.
"We want to improve each week and be playing our best golf at the end of the season."
2008 GINW Golf
March 25, York Triangular; 27, GINW Triangular (Aurora, Hastings St. Cecilia).
April 1, St. Paul Triangular (Centura); 4, Ord Invitational; 8, Lexington Invitational; 10, York Invitational; 14, Central City Scramble; 19, Aurora Invitational; 21, Centura; 22, Holdrege Invitational; 25, Crete Invitational; 28, G.I. Cup Matches at Riverside Golf Club; 29, Grand Island Central Catholic Invitational at Jackrabbit Run; 3, Central Conference meet at Aurora; 6, Tri-City Invitational at Jackrabbit Run; 12, District meet at Hastings; 20-21, State meet at Lincoln Pioneers.
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