Sports Editor

It may be mostly the same team, but it won't be the same attitude Williston will be packing for the Class A State Boys Golf Tournament in Minot Monday and Tuesday.

Last year, the Coyotes were relieved to just be playing in the state event, but this year Williston's golfers look to turn some heads when they tee it up at Souris Valley Golf Course at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

“Last year we were just going to play at state, but this year we are going to state to compete,” said Coyotes coach Dennis Healy.

Williston finished fifth in the West Region tournament last week, but were just nine strokes out of the top spot. “We're talking about a hole or two difference, where in the past we were talking about one or two golfers being the difference, that shows how we've progressed,” said Healy.

The Coyotes will go in with some confidence after taking second in the Souris Invitational just about a week and a half ago. Williston also won its own invitation this season, letting the Coyotes know they can compete.

While the West has been a carousel of winners this season with the balance in the conference, the East will come in as the favorites. “They had a number of teams shoot better than our top score in the regional, so they'll be favored, but they will have to play a course they may not be that familiar with,” noted Healy.

Williston has some familiarity with the course and has had some success on it.

“Any one of our guys that's going can shoot a low score and anyone of them can get into the top 10 in the individual race. We just need four of the six to shoot low for the team portion,” said Healy.

To prove his point, No. 5 golfer Brett Colebank led the Coyotes with a 77 at the Souris Invite. “I'm just hoping Brett can bring that game back with him and do it again,” said Healy.

Michael DeLorme has been the most consistent golfer on the squad and it paid dividends for him as the only golfer to qualify for state as an individual by finishing in the top 10 in the West in season averages.

He averaged 78.80 on the year and earned All-Conference honors for his efforts.

He'll go as the No. 2 golfer for the Coyotes at state.

Golfing No. 1 will be Jackson Opperud, who put up the best score in the West Region with a 79.

Opperud and No. 4 golfer Josh Braun will be the other two golfer eligible to play in the individual portion as they both shot 80 or better at the West Region. Braun shot 80 to qualify.

Opperud has averaged 81.25 for the season, while Braun is at 82.30.

Cade Ingersoll is sitting at 84.63 and will golf the No. 3 spot at state.

Colebank is averaging 85.13 and No. 6 golfer Todd Bustad is at 88.14.

Adam Lalim, averaging 89.60, will be an alternate for the Coyotes.

Four of the six Coyote golfers have shot in the 70s this season and any of the lineup is capable.

If Williston was to shoot it best four rounds, it would put up a 307 at the state meet and that would put them in contention.

However, Healy points out they also will need to play consistent as it is a two-day event, and they'll need back-to-back solid outings.

“The kids have been real focused the last few weeks and I'm hoping to carry over our practice to the state course,” he said.