Tim Wurdock is expecting improved seasons from the United North Central boys and girls golf teams this spring.
Last season, the UNC boys qualified for the Mid-Minnesota Conference Championship. The Warriors finished fourth at that tournament and ended the season by placing fourth at the Section 8AA South tournament with a 356.
Returning to lead the Warriors this season are seniors Calvin Taylor and Brian Hillukka; junior Gavin Mickelson; sophomores Luke Wurdock and Vaughn Massie; and freshman Anthony Wurdock.
Mickelson, who led the team with a nine-hole average of 42, earned all-conference honors by carding an 86 at the Mid-Minnesota Championship and qualified for the Section 8AA meet with an 87 at the subsection meet. Mickelson capped off his season by carding an 89 at the section meet.
Luke Wurdock was second on the team with an average of 45 despite battling a wrist injury.
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Taylor and Hillukka carded averages of 50 with Taylor carding a 97 and Hillukka carding a 106 at the subsection meet. Hillukka also had a 105 at the conference meet.
Massie finished with an average of 48 and Anthony Wurdock carded a 50 average. Anthony Wurdock also had a 119 at the conference meet.
The Warriors have two key spots to fill with the graduation of Noah Hendrickson and Don Wurdock. Both qualified for the section tournament with Hendrickson carding an 83 and Wurdock carding an 89 at the subsection meet. Wurdock shot a 94 at the section meet. Both also competed at the conference meet with Hendrickson earning all-conference honors with an 88 while Wurdock carded a 101.
Looking to fill those two spots will be junior Drew Hendrickson, sophomore Al Pietila and freshman Mikko Johnson.
“The team had their best season in a decade and had their best finish at subsections,” said Tim Wurdock. “Despite losing two seniors, the returning six have varsity experience. Most of these guys golf a lot in the summer. Due to the early spring, they’ve played a lot of rounds and are looking great.”
The Warriors also return some veterans on the girls team with senior Sarah Kuismi, junior Laura Niska and sophomore Hailey Usher.
Niska led the Warriors with a nine-hole average of 50 and carded a 101 at the subsection meet. Kuisma finished with an average of 56 and carded a 122 at the subsection meet. Usher carded a 118 at the subsection meet to finish with an average of 57.
Looking to fill varsity spots are junior Eva Johnson, sophomore Anna Huttunen and freshman Maddie Womble.
