Throughout the season, the Manhattan High boys golf team has struggled with inconsistency and pressure, which has affected their individual and overall scores. However, last Thursday’s meet turned that around, making it one of their better ones in the season thus far.

“We got a lot of guys who started off in the season not doing the best,” senior Josh Priddle said. “We’re all kind of coming to our games and I think we’re kind of hitting the high point this time in the season with Regionals coming up.”

Golf is one of the few sports where a low score is ideal. In the past, the team has scored an average of approximately 340. In this meet, MHS placed fourth out of 15 teams with an overall score of 336, therefore making the team score below their average.

“The season started out about average and things hadn’t been going well,” head coach Brad Ficke said. “What is going well is the guys are identifying what they need to do to improve. I think some of it has to do with them understanding how to mentally approach their games and it’s different for all of them, so you can’t just have a coaching philosophy that works for every single kid.”

The top four at the Junction City Invitational included: Topeka-Washburn Rural who placed first with a score of 302; Salina-Central who placed second with a score of 324; Topeka-Hayden who placed third with a score of 328; and Manhattan who placed fourth. Priddle was the top scorer for Manhattan who placed ninth followed by freshman Grant Snowden who placed 21 out of 85 golfers.

In order for the team to get in that number one spot that they desire, the team has to identify their mistakes and improve them for the next upcoming meet.

“We just need to focus a little bit more,” senior Cody Begnoche said. “Then grind towards the end and make sure we’re grinding the whole time.”

Some members of the team also think that extra practice could be essential for improving their performance in tournaments.

“I’d say a lot of it comes down to practicing on weekends when we have free time,” Priddle said. “Making sure that we’re at the course, getting reps in and getting practice for what we need to improve on.”

The MHS boys golf team hopes to improve and score low for the upcoming Regional and State tournaments held on May 13 at Wamego Country Club and May 20 held at Sand Creek Station.