Marquette High in play for repeat state title after Day 1 of WIAA golf

MADISON – Marquette University High School is looking to stay within striking distance of a repeat Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1 state boys golf title after Day 1 of the 2026 state meet at University Ridge.

Middleton (279 strokes) is the leader in the D1 team standings after 18 of 36 championship holes have been played, while Marquette is tied in second with Kimberly (297) at 18 strokes back. The team standings entering the second and final day of the tournament are rounded out by Waunakee (298), River Falls (300), Homestead (304), De Pere (305), Whitefish Bay (305), Franklin (309), Hudson (313), Hartford Union (315), Slinger (316), Oregon (318), Kettle Moraine (320), Edgerton (320) and Westosha Central (327).

Middleton senior Samuel Forslund leads individual medalist contenders after a 6-under-par first-round 66, while River Falls senior Ryan Swanson, Kimberly junior Andrew Ostermann and Edgerton senior Owen Wagie sit just a stroke back in a tie for second at 5-under (67). Arrowhead individual qualifiers Jonathan Amtmann (T-seventh, 71) and Ryan Schulz (T-ninth, 72) are the only local competitors in the top 10.

Marquette's runner-up bid to this point is led by junior Hayes Packee (T-13th, 73), followed by sophomore Luke Prunty and senior Danny Broeker each tied for 20th at 2-over-par 74. Freshman Connelly Doerr (T-28th, 76) rounds out the effort, with sophomore Christian Arena (T-38th, 77) also in position to contribute with a top four Hilltoppers round on Day 2.

Other Milwaukee-area individuals knocking on the door of a top-10 finish are Homestead sophomore Ben Hills (T-13th, 73), Slinger senior Ryan Bellanti (T-20th, 74), Whitefish Bay senior Thomas Began (T-20th, 74), Hartford Union junior Alex Kuepper (27th, 75), Whitefish Bay sophomore Charlie Juech (T-28th, 76) and Franklin juniors Aaron Hein and Caleb Peterson (each tied for 28th, 76).

Lake Country Lutheran (316) is among a crowded D2 field, but is well-positioned to make a run at the team title in Day 2 after finishing Day 1 just four strokes off the leading Rice Lake program (312).

LCL is tied with Winneconne at 28 over par, with Xavier (319) and Edgewood (319) tied for fourth. Bloomer (323), Unversity School of Milwaukee (325) and Cambridge (328) round out the field of teams. A pair of Milwaukee-area freshmen are making a grand first impression at University Ridge, including LCL's Max Neumann (T-fourth, 75) at four strokes off co-leaders Elliot Skinner of Altoona and VInce Sigl of Seymour (71). USM freshman Joseph Amiot is also in the top 10 (T-sixth, 76).

Coming in behind Neumann for LCL were juniors Ben Leach (10th, 77) and Max Zastrow (11th, 78), followed by sophomore Chase Schaumberg (86) and senior Owen Leibham (89). Also threatening a top-10 finish is USM senior Henry Bechthold (T-11th, 78).