Drew Berres just shrugged it off.
Losing the Badger Large Conference team championship was no big deal, even if the Waunakee boys’ golf team was going for its sixth title in a row, which would have been quite an accomplishment.
KC Nickel remembers vividly what Berres, his Warrior teammate, had to say in the aftermath of what was a devastating loss at the May 14 conference meet, where the Warriors finished second — one stroke behind Milton — pushing them down to third in the final Badger Large standings.
“Drew said, ‘I didn’t come back to win conference. I came back to win state,’” said Nickel.
And that’s just what Berres and the Warriors did, edging Eau Claire Memorial by one stroke for the first state title in Waunakee boys’ golf history.
Berres’ confidence impacted Nickel, who sank a short putt on the 18th hole at Blackwolf Run’s Meadow Valleys Course in Kohler to secure Waunakee’s victory.
“Once he said that, I started to think big picture,” said Nickel.
And so did the rest of the Warriors, who entered the state tournament with a wealth of state experience. The year before, Waunakee finished fifth as a team, after sitting in third place after the first day. This time around, the Warriors led after day one.
But, before all that, Waunakee had to take care of business at a tough Blackhawk sectional. A slow start left the Warriors feeling uncomfortable, but they rebounded, shooting a 151 on the back nine after compiling a 162 on the front nine.
“Making it out of sectionals was almost a relief,” said Peyton Albers, who tied for 10th with a plus-9 153, shooting a 76 and a 77. “It’s awesome to go to state, but it was almost like a weight was off our shoulders.”
Albers and Nickel both shot 76s to lead Waunakee at Blackhawk in Madison, as they finished in a tie for sixth. Berres carded a 79 to end up in 11th.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the Warriors entered the state tournament with an experienced lineup and a ton of confidence. They got out to a one-shot lead on the first day, ending up with a 311. Hartford Union slotted in with a 312 but fell way back in the final round. Eau Claire Memorial was seven shots behind Waunakee entering day two, with a 318. But Memorial made a furious comeback, shooting a 302 on day two to get close to Waunakee.
“We had confidence that we were going to win,” said Brady Piazza.
Albers added, “It was one of those things where we felt the job is not finished.”
Nickel wasn’t so sure of Waunakee’s position.
“We were only up by one stroke, so we needed to get out strong the next day,” said Nickel.
Still, Nickel and Piazza decided to wear black the final day. “For other teams’ funerals,” said Nickel, with a laugh. The move sort of backfired, though. Wearing black on a hot day was not the best choice.
Enter Peter Wangerin, inserted into the lineup after AJ Ziegler played for Waunakee on day one. He didn’t get off to an auspicious start. The first to tee off for the Warriors, possibly feeling nervous, Wangerin accidently knocked the ball off the tee. He looked up and smiled. Everyone had a good laugh, and his next shot was right down the middle of the fairway, and he went on to shoot a strong 80, setting the tone for the rest of the Warriors, who did not get off on the right foot.
“It was fun playing behind Peter,” said Berres. “There were so many roars for him.”
Nickel said his start wasn’t great. They needed Wangerin to deliver, and he did. Zadra said Ziegler, being a great teammate, supported him and the rest of the Warriors. He shot a 90 on the first day. Combined with Wangerin’s 80, they finished tied for 72nd with Berres, who also turned in a 170.
Despite the rough beginning to day two, the Warriors didn’t lose belief in themselves. As head coach Betsy Zadra noted, Waunakee became known as the “Back Nine Boys” as the postseason went on.
“They’ve been known for slow starts,” said Zadra. “I don’t think there was any panic.”
Piazza, who tied for 16th individually with a 155, going 79 on day one and 76 on day two, believes that Waunakee had the most mentally tough team at state. And they showed it, as they suddenly caught fire.
In a span of just 10 minutes, the Warriors sank four birdies. For the tournament, Ziegler said the Warriors had 24-26 birdies.
“Betsy always says that pars win championships,” said Ziegler, with a laugh.
Albers birdied the 11th hole. Wangerin did likewise on 13, before Nickel birdied 11.
Still, Eau Claire Memorial wouldn’t go away. With five holes to go, Memorial trailed by three strokes. However, when Nickel reached the green on the 18th hole, Zadra said she knew Waunakee had it. When Nickel teed off on the hole, the ball went down the middle.
“I knew I was in a good spot,” said Nickel, who finished tied for sixth with a 150, carding 75s on both days, “I was confident I could par it.”
Sinking that putt on 18th set off a celebration.
Winning the first state title in the history of Waunakee’s boys’ program wasn’t the highlight for 2024. Zadra noted other milestones, including winning the MACC Fund Invite, where Albers was medalist, and taking first at the Morgan Stanley for the first time, where Nickel medaled.
“Those are three really big tournaments,” said Zadra. “As Craig Myers (former head coach for Waunakee) used to call them, they’re ‘coveted.’”
Berres gives Zadra a lot of credit.
“We wouldn’t be in this situation without Betsy,” said Berres. “She puts us in such amazing practices. It definitely wouldn’t be possible without her.”
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