If there is a spring season to be played, the Osakis boys and girls golf teams will have a first-year head coach at the helm.
Jay Johnson is replacing 2019 head coach Chris Grove after Grove led the Silverstreaks for one season. Johnson looks to pick up where things left off from the 2019 girls season with a core group of returning veterans. Kadyn Triebenbach, Lexi Randall, Katie Helm, Marissa Reilly, Madison Lipke and Brooke Euerle make up the Silverstreaks’ roster.
“The girls have Kadyn Triebenbach fresh off an appearance in the state tournament last season and also Marissa Reilly returning with state tournament experience,” Johnson said. “I am hoping that the girls can gain valuable tournament experience while being competitive in the conference matches.“
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Triebenbach shot a two-day score of 183 to tie for 41st at state a year ago. Lexi Dirkes also qualified for state last season as a junior and finished tied for 32nd at the Class AA meet with a two-day score of 179.
The Silverstreaks would have to fill her spot in the lineup this spring if things do get going. Dirkes said she had to make a tough personal decision last season by choosing to devote Wednesdays to golf practice or leading a youth group through her church. That decision weighed on her, and she decided this year that she would commit to leading the youth through her church.
“I will always love Osakis golf and I am so proud of all of the girls on the Osakis golf team,” she said. “I truly hope they can get on the course this year and continue to grow into the amazing golf team I know they are.”
The boys don’t have any state participants returning to their lineup this spring, but they are eager to prove they have good scorers in a young lineup. Aaron Nack, Elijah Hagen, Chase Triebenbach, Owinn Cimbura, Jason Sommars, Scott Ellefson, Logan Lipke, Noah Nessman and Luke Nessman make up the Osakis roster.
“The boys team is young with no seniors,” Johnson said. “My goal for the season is for everyone to get a good understanding of competitive golf while improving their individual skills. I don’t think my expectations will change with a shorter season. We will make the best of the time and opportunities that we have to improve the physical, mental and social well being of our athletes.”
Johnson is hoping to get back on the course sometime in the near future.
“The daily interaction with the students and getting an understanding of each student in many different ways is what I miss the most,” Johnson said. “Being able to help students learn and see the improvements that are being made in different aspects of golf and in their lives.”
(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.)
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2020 OSAKIS GOLF ROSTER
BOYS- Aaron Nack, Elijah Hagen, Chase Triebenbach, Owinn Cimbura, Jason Sommars, Scott Ellefson, Logan Lipke, Noah Nessman, Luke Nessman
GIRLS- Kadyn Triebenbach, Lexi Randall, Katie Helm, Marissa Reilly, Madison Lipke, Brooke Euerle
HEAD COACH- Jay Johnson
