Jeffrey Moore was the lone Warrior to advance out of the sectional last season. Wawasee expects to have a stronger showing at the regional round in 2014.

SYRACUSE – The Wawasee boys golf team is just over a week away from teeing off its 2014 campaign and the sights are set high.

The Warriors came in behind three Northern Lakes Conference teams (NorthWood, Northridge and Goshen) and local foe Fairfield at Black Squirrel Golf Club in last year’s sectional. The finish left Wawasee with a bitter taste in its mouth, but also provides a little fuel to be burned heading into this season.

The Warriors lost two of its top players to graduation in Dylan Cousins and Luke Jackson, but will return several players that saw significant time on the varsity level.

Tristen Atwood, Jeffrey Moore, Cal Heinisch, Mason Germonprez and Brandon Buss all benefited from filling a varsity spot on more than one occasion last season. All are expected to make an impact again for the Warriors in 2014.

Junior Maclain Herr’s status is up in the air according to Warrior head coach Steve Coverstone. Herr broke his arm in the fall and has had issues with his wrist to this point. Senior Rasmus Rich is another name that Coverstone hopes can provide some gusto to Wawasee’s lineup.

Moore was the postseason star for the Warriors in 2013 as the then freshman shot a 78 and finished seventh at the sectional and advanced to the regional round in Warsaw. Coverstone noted work that Moore had put in over the summer and knows the sophomore will be a big piece in accomplishing the team’s goals.

“Making it to regional is a great accomplishment,” stated Coverstone. “Jeffrey (Moore) has only gotten better by putting in the work over the summer. Most of our guys worked on their games and improved this past summer.

“We have a number of guys that can make it out (of sectional) individually this year, but our goal is to advance as a team.”

The key to Wawasee’s success, according to Coverstone, will be the team’s ability to stay focused and play smart.

“It’s difficult to say how we will do for sure, but we know what we can accomplish,” Coverstone said. “We want to advance through sectional but also win the NLC. We have the talent to compete for those goals. Like always, it depends on how smart we play.

“On an individual level, we need to score as well as we can with the ability we have on that day. On a shot by shot basis, we need to be committed to whatever shot we decide to hit. Of course, regardless of how smart we play, it also depends on how the competition plays. You can’t play defense in golf.”

The Warrior’s first home meet is scheduled for April 28 against West Noble, Elkhart Central and Fairfield at South Shore Golf Club. The Wawasee Invite is slated for the following Saturday, also at South Shore.

Wawasee’s 2014 campaign begins on Saturday, April 19, with the Fort Wayne Northrop Invite at Colonial Oaks Golf Course.