Marquette High Eyes Second Straight State Golf Crown After Day One

MADISON – Marquette University High School is poised to contend for another Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1 state boys golf championship following the first day of the 2026 state tournament at University Ridge. After completing 18 of the 36 holes, Middleton leads the team standings with a score of 279, while Marquette sits in a tie for second place with Kimberly at 297, trailing by 18 strokes.

The team rankings as the tournament heads into its final day also include Waunakee (298), River Falls (300), and Homestead (304), among others. Notably, Middleton senior Samuel Forslund is at the forefront of individual medalists, having shot a remarkable 6-under-par 66 in the opening round. River Falls’ Ryan Swanson, Kimberly’s Andrew Ostermann, and Edgerton’s Owen Wagie are closely following, each with a strong 67, putting them just one stroke behind Forslund.

Marquette's current position in the standings is bolstered by junior Hayes Packee, who is tied for 13th with a score of 73. Sophomore Luke Prunty and senior Danny Broeker are also contributing, sitting tied for 20th at 74. Freshman Connelly Doerr (T-28th, 76) and sophomore Christian Arena (T-38th, 77) are in the mix, setting the stage for a competitive Day 2.

Other local golfers aiming for a top-10 finish include Homestead’s Ben Hills (T-13th, 73), Slinger’s Ryan Bellanti (T-20th, 74), and Whitefish Bay’s Thomas Began (T-20th, 74). The second day promises to be an exciting showdown as teams vie for the championship title.

In Division 2, Lake Country Lutheran is positioned to challenge for the championship, finishing Day 1 just four strokes behind leader Rice Lake with a score of 316. The team is tied with Winneconne, while Xavier and Edgewood are in a tie for fourth at 319.

Milwaukee-area freshman Max Neumann from Lake Country Lutheran made an impressive debut, currently tied for fourth with a score of 75, just behind co-leaders Elliot Skinner and Vince Sigl, who both scored 71. Other notable performances include USM’s Joseph Amiot, also in the top 10 with a score of 76.

The second and final round of the WIAA state boys golf championships will commence on June 9, with the first tee times set for 7 a.m. Full results from Day 1 can be accessed on the WIAA website.