Reeths-Puffer made strides last year, winning an O-K Green Conference jamboree for the first time in a long time. Coach Matt Pallett believes his team can take the next step this year and challenge for an O-K Green Conference championship, something the Rockets haven’t won in 18 years.
“Our mental game will be the biggest factor in achieving our goals this year,” Pallett said.
The Rockets bring back three of their top five scorers from last year’s regional meet, including the top two - senior Dylan Panozzo and sophomore Kristian Brown. Brown sparkled as a freshman, achieving all-O-K Green recognition, and Panozzo picked up honorable mention. The duo should be evenly matched as they vie for the top position in R-P’s lineup.
“They are both challenging each other in practice and making each other better,” Pallett said.
Junior Ayden Hartzell is also back after a strong sophomore year, and Pallett said he improved a lot in the offseason. He will play a big role.
Senior Jake Lee and sophomore Beckett Mathes are the top contenders to earn full-time varsity spots alongside the three returning starters. Lee played some varsity matches last year and is hoping to be there all season in 2024; Mathes has worked hard in the offseason after a solid JV campaign.
Calvin Schlee, Aiden Waggoner and Tristan Baker, all juniors, will all be in competition for varsity spots as well.
The Rockets always play a full and competitive schedule, and this year is no exception, with three meets scheduled for the first week of competition following spring break. Two of those meets are O-K Green jamborees, which will give R-P a good look at how it stacks up against conference mainstays Mona Shores and Zeeland West.
“We challenge ourselves with some tough competition early on,” Pallett said.
Montague preview
Montague brings back a large crew of experienced players in 2024, and the Wildcats have their eye on an impressive season.
“The team knows that they are expected to get better each and every day,” Montague coach Brad Tate said. “They are hoping to be one of the better teams in the West Michigan Conference and are hoping to play their best golf at regionals.”
It just so happens the Wildcats get to host the regionals this year at Old Channel Trail Golf Course, the second time in three seasons Montague gets that distinction.
Among the returners are the Wildcats’ best two regional scorers from last spring - Owen Raeth and Trevin Silvers. Brayden Bultema is Montague’s third returner from the squad that took a solid seventh place in the regional a year ago.
Veterans Jack Bailey and Bucky Aney add to the team’s strong depth, and Max Welch and Eli Bunton are varsity newcomers that have significantly improved from last season.
“(They) will be players that are going to only get better as their confidence begins to grow,” Tate said.
Prior to the regionals, Montague will get plenty of chances to measure itself against some strong opposition. Certainly the WMC will offer chances to compete, and the Wildcats are also excited for the GMAA meet and the Ludington Invitational, which always features strong opposition.
“This is a team that is very competitive and will represent our school well,” Tate said.
