The golf team returned to claim their second consecutive state championship title, winning the championship by three strokes over South Carroll High School. Junior Olivia Cong (141) also repeated her individual state title, winning by five strokes.

This was the first season Poolesville played in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Division One; they had previously played in Division Three. The new challenge meant they played teams such as state 3A/4A finalist Sherwood. 

“Playing in Division One definitely helped us prepare for states,” said senior Captain Andrew Jauch, “It showed us our ability and gave us tough competition to challenge ourselves.”

This competition was all the more important as the unique location requirements of the sport restricted the number of practices, which often lasted three to four hours. As a result, coach Michelle Hunsicker-Blair primarily focused on coaching the mental aspect of the game. 

“You have to find ways to regulate your emotions and to regulate how your body is feeling.” said Hunsicker-Blair, “I teach them a lot about being able to breathe mindfully, being able to redirect negative thoughts, like digging deeply into that kind of facet.”

This is very important on the golf course, where matches can last four to five hours and players walk upwards of eleven miles. Staying in a competition mindset for that long is incredibly challenging. Entering the competition, Jauch expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, giving credit to Blair’s coaching. 

Qualifying for the Maryland state championship is itself an accomplishment, as only the top 40% of teams and individuals advance from the state semifinals to the finals. Poolesville sent seven golfers to the state championship, four with the team and three as individuals. The co-ed team consisted of Jauch, Cong, junior Ethan Huang, and sophomore Noah Naing. The individuals competing were junior Lakshmi Sangireddi, junior Kinley Stokes, and freshman Makenna Hill. 

The team scores that led Poolesville to the state title were Cong (141), Naing (162), Huang (164), and Jauch (168). 

The golf team will now start looking ahead to next season. The only senior that the state roster will be losing is Jauch. With many juniors, sophomores, and freshmen making up the roster, the golf team looks poised to have another strong season.