The Alexandria boys golf team is positioned again to do what the Cardinals always seem to do -- be in contention for a Central Lakes Conference and section championship.
That is contingent on players being able to get back on the course. The COVID-19 pandemic has halted spring sports activities through at least May 4. Many area coaches know getting in any type of season might be a long shot, but teams are holding out some hope.
“With the unique situation we are in this year, my only real expectation is that my guys stay mentally focused and prepared in hopes that we have a season,” Alexandria head coach Brady Swedberg said.
Alexandria features some of the top players in the area again, including returning letter winners in Joe Bigger, Landyn James, Grant Rebrovich, Wyatt Cavers and Braeden Sladek.
“We have a very strong top four who all have the ability to make a ton of birdies and shoot very low scores,” Swedberg said. “I say this every year, but we will focus on getting the ball in play off the tee, wedge game, and putting. Besides the physical side of the game, we are always working on managing our emotions, which will allow the guys to make good decisions and fully commit to shots.”
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The Cardinals had a standout season a year ago that ended with a fourth-place finish at state by shooting a two-day total of 611. Edina won the Class AAA state title at 595.
Alexandria won the Central Lakes Conference before adding a Section 8AAA trophy to its case. The season also included setting a new CLC team-score record by shooting a 3-under 285 at Fergus Falls.
That happened with the help of some talented seniors who now have to be replaced. Hunter Rebrovich, Noah Boraas, Elliot Amundson and Ben Jenson are all letter winners lost, and Boraas and Rebrovich were part of the state-tournament lineup.
Back from that top-six group at state are Cavers, Bigger, Sladek and Grant Rebrovich. Bigger, a senior, and Rebrovich, a junior, will serve as captains.
Sladek returns as a freshman with a lot of varsity experience. He and Boraas tied last spring for the team’s low score at state after each shot a two-day 149.
Swedberg said James and junior Mason Gray are a couple upperclassmen who will compete for varsity spots with a group of about six sophomores. If teams get on the course this spring, Swedberg knows he has a group that is capable of accomplishing big things again.
“Our team goals again will be to win a conference title, section title and state title,” he said.
Brainerd and Sartell-St. Stephen join Alexandria as some of the top teams in the CLC, while Swedberg sees Moorhead, Brainerd, Sartell-St. Stephen and Buffalo as contenders with them in the Section 8AAA field.
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(Editor’s note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota State High School League spring activities season is suspended through at least May 4. Whether a season will be played at all is very much up in the air, but these spring preview stories are meant to give coaches for area teams an opportunity to share what they think their players might be capable of if any type of season is played this year.)
