El Dorado will return four of its top seven golfers when it tees off the season Monday at the Simmons Bank Wildcat Invitational. Coach Chris Ezell believes the Wildcats have the ammunition to be in the hunt once league play begins.
“I believe we have a strong enough team to compete for the 5A South Conference title this year,” he said. “Back-to-back defending champion Benton was moved to the 5A Central conference, so our conference may be up for grabs a little more now. I like our team's chances of earning a state playoff bid.”
Caden Meadows, Peyton Yarbrough and Michael Moore are three seniors who could lead El Dorado this season as the most experienced players.
“Isaac Aaron has shown to be much more consistent with his scoring so far this year and has put himself in a good position to start the season on the varsity squad,” said Ezell. “Tate Meadows has moved up the rankings this summer as well. After our qualifiers at Mystic Creek, Caden emerged at the number one seed followed by Peyton, Isaac, Tate and Michael. This will be our opening day starters for the Simmons on Monday.
“I anticipate this team having a lot of competition amongst themselves and that should push them to challenge each other throughout the season. Sophomores Ford Wilson, Mason Moore and senior Jay Reep are all within range to challenge for playing time as we move into the season.”
Sawyer Swint, Walker Williamson, Jackson Lee, Sekari Peterson and Zachery Tissue round out the boys’ roster.
“As the host of the Simmons, I am able to enter a JV team as well, so my top 10 will play and that allows me to see them all play the same course in a competitive round to make any adjustments moving forward,” said Ezell. “Each of them have the opportunity to move up and down the rankings as the season progresses. Practicing at Mystic Creek gives our kids one of the best practice facilities in the state as well as one of the most challenging courses to play. Golfers that put in the practice time out there will improve their game.”
The girls’ team features three returners from last year's state qualifier. Daphny Chen is a senior this year and sophomores Lucy Whitten and Avelyn Chen both got a lot of experience last year.
“Lucy earned All Conference honors last year with Daphny one shot back. They are looking stronger this year and should be strong enough to compete for a state bid again,” said Ezell. “Lakeside will be our main competition for the 5A South Conference title. Now that Lucy and Avelyn have a year under their belt, I feel like they will be a lot more comfortable with the pressures that come with high school golf. Our girls are ready to get the season started and there is no better way to start it off than the Simmons Bank Wildcat Invitational.”