The Mead Mavericks Golf team qualified for state for the first time ever and came out with the 4A title at Fox Hill Golf Course club.
How was Mead able to triumph over all these experienced teams despite being new to the state tournament?
The team’s trio of senior golfers each stepped up on day two of the tournament, all improving their scores from day one.
Howie Thompson (‘26) explains, “Teeing off on the second day, from that moment to the end of my round, it just felt like I blacked out, barely remembering, in a good way”.
Booth Hayes (‘26) not only contributed this year in state, but has solo-qualified for state all four years of his high school career, which nobody has done at Mead.
What made this victory even more remarkable was exactly who they beat. Mead outworked big schools that have been in this competition for a while, including Broomfield, Monarch, and Air Academy.
Mead’s consistency throughout the season led them to this historic moment for the high school. They weren’t just focused primarily on getting better at the sport, but growing their love for the sport.
Stryker Leick (‘26) explains how the team has a balance between fun and focus, which helped them have success throughout the season. “We had fun. We weren’t just locked in the whole time, and that made us want to continue to just go play golf.” The team’s love for golf was never worn out because no moment was ever dull.
Another contribution to the victory was exactly what motivated the players. For Leik and Thompson, their biggest inspiration was their dads. Both of the players highlighted the fact that they were most inspired to play for the ones who taught them how to play years ago.
The Mead Mavericks’ win was full of passion and heart for the sport, as well as care for their team and all that motivated them along the way.
