LIBERTY LAKE — The Warden Cougars boys’ golf team competed in the 2B state championships, where they finished fifth overall as a team. Cougars Head Coach Tim Carlberg said this was a solid conclusion for the young team’s season. 

“I thought overall it was a great season for us. It didn’t end the way the guys wanted it to, but that’s sports. Sometimes you come up short,” said Carlberg. “I think placing fifth overall as a team is an awesome accomplishment and we can set our goals a little higher next year.” 

The Cougars sent junior golfer Jaden Hernandez and sophomore golfers JJ Madsen and Everett Cox into state play. On the first day of the tournament, each of the Cougars made their rounds with some successes. 

Hernandez qualified for day two with a score of 84 and Madsen was not too far behind with a score of 85. Cox, unfortunately, fell out of the tournament after hitting 96, but was still commended by his coach for having a solid season overall. 

“He’d been rock solid all year long, but golf is like that,” said Carlberg. “There were a lot of putts that weren’t falling that he normally makes, and I think he started to press a little bit knowing he needed to get it going.” 

For the remaining two golfers, day two of the tournament proved to be challenging. The second day Hernandez finished with 87 to tie for 15th alongside Rainier junior Joshua Peralta with a total of 171. Madsen finished the second day with a score of 88 to take 17th place with a total of 173. 

As a team, Warden earned a total of 9.5 points to take the fifth-place slot in the state meet. 

For each of the state qualifying golfers, Carlberg said they all competed well and will be returning to the course with even more experience next season. The trio already has garnered some great postseason experience as Hernandez made his third state appearance, and Madsen and Cox made their second state appearance. 

“All three kids will be back next year, and I think they’ve got a ton of potential,” said the coach. 

He said there were a lot of great lessons that the boys can take away from the tournament, such as learning to stay focused in the moment and keeping their minds on the next shot. Each moment from the state is something the golfers can build on for next season when they work to make their return to the postseason. 

With the improvement shown by all of the golfers on the Cougars team, Carlberg said he expects the team to be a solid contender again next season. Though many of the golfers will be focusing on other sports throughout the summer, many have already made the decision to dedicate time to working alongside professional golf coaches and playing with the Washington State Junior Golf Association to help improve their skills. 

“The guys who went to state this year, they tend to get out to the golf course quite a bit, even if they’re just playing with their buddies,” he said. “It’s just building on the things they learned this year.” 

    Jaden Hernandez, a junior for the Cougars, gets ready to take a swing as he starts off one of the holes at the state golf tournament.
  

    Everett Cox, a sophomore from Warden, steps onto the course to hit the ball during the state meet.
  

    Cougars sophomore JJ Madsen starts off at one of the holes at Liberty Bell in the state golf tournament.