Picture this: a high school golf team staring down a daunting seven-stroke hole after the first round, only to roar back and claim their very first state championship in a sport they've just begun to dominate. It's the kind of underdog saga that makes sports legends, and Mead's boys golf squad lived it out in spectacular fashion at the 4A state tournament in Longmont. But here's where it gets controversial – was this victory a stroke of luck, or a testament to sheer grit and perfect timing? Stick around, because the details of their comeback might just challenge what you think about high school athletics.
For the Mead Mavericks, this season was packed with unprecedented milestones. They qualified as a full team for their inaugural state tournament appearance and walked away with the gold – their maiden state title in golf. It's like a fairy tale come true, a true Cinderella story unfolding on the greens.
'We only took home one other tournament win this year, and that was our only other victory,' Mead coach Mike Ward shared with a grin. 'I suppose we saved the best for last. We hit our peak right when it mattered most.'
And peak they did, particularly on the second day. After trailing Broomfield by seven strokes following round one, Mead flipped the script, finishing third behind the Eagles and Loveland going into Tuesday. But how did they manage to outpace Broomfield by a full 10 strokes, wrapping up with a total score of 440 – that's 20 over par for those new to golf scoring, meaning they were 20 strokes above the ideal score for the course?
It all boiled down to their powerhouse trio of senior golfers, each elevating their game from Monday to Tuesday. 'I'm incredibly proud of these three guys and the way they fought through both days,' Ward beamed. 'They stayed so steady, kept their cool, and just kept delivering solid shot after solid shot. We saw glimpses of this potential all season long. Now that it's paid off, it's pure exhilaration.'
Leading the charge was their top player, Stryker Leick, who transformed his performance dramatically. He jumped from 33rd place in 2024 to tying for second with Northridge's Everett Lewis this week. 'His skills improved tremendously,' Ward noted. 'He invested countless hours over the past year, realizing he had real talent and committing to the grind. All that dedication shone through throughout the season. I'm thrilled for him and his bright future – he's only going to keep getting better.'
Leick is set to continue his golf journey in college, though he hasn't decided on a school yet. He certainly made his mark in his final high school event, much like his teammate Booth Hayes. Hayes climbed from a tie for 23rd after Monday's 76 to a tie for 9th with a remarkable 72 on Tuesday. He was just two over par in the second round – for beginners, 'par' is the standard number of strokes expected for a hole, so being 'over par' means taking more shots than ideal.
'His front nine was unusually off, but he knew the back nine was his chance, and he went one under,' Ward explained about Hayes starting with seven over par on Monday. 'He carried that energy into today. I knew he'd position himself for birdies – those are shots where you finish a hole in one stroke less than par – and if not, he'd stick to pars.' Ward affectionately dubs him 'Mr. Consistent,' a four-time state qualifier in Mead's short nine-year program history, one of the finest golfers they've produced. He rediscovered his reliability in his last 27 holes.
But remember, a state championship requires the effort of three key players. The third Maverick in the spotlight was senior Howie Thompson, who soared from 36th to 17th, improving from a 78 on Monday to a 73 on Tuesday. 'He chose the perfect day for his best round ever here,' Ward said proudly. 'He kicked things off at 9 a.m., igniting the momentum. His ball striking was spot-on, and his positive vibe all day was a joy to witness. It was exciting seeing his enthusiasm for those 18 holes.'
This triumph marks Mead's sixth team state title across all sports. The school operated from 1918 to 1962 before closing from 1963 to 2008, and four of these championships have come since 2021, signaling a fresh wave of success for the Mavericks. 'I'm so honored and delighted to be part of Mead,' Ward added. 'I've been there since it reopened 17 years ago, teaching science and coaching the girls' basketball team too. We take immense pride in our school's name and the incredible support from our community.'
And speaking of standout individuals, Hunter Simmons from Grand Junction drew a crowd for photos after clinching the individual state championship. 'I'm overwhelmed with emotion and joy,' the senior glowed. 'I'm deeply thankful for all the backing I've received. It's an amazing cap to my high school journey.'
Simmons battled fiercely with Northridge junior Everett Lewis on the final day. They were tied at even par – meaning they matched par exactly – alongside Air Academy's Jackson Moats after round one. By Tuesday, the frontrunners included Lewis, Simmons, Loveland's Will Sallee, Mead's Stryker Leick, and Falcon freshman Cayden Besler.
Lewis held the edge for much of the second round, with Simmons and him paired up. 'It was a constant back-and-forth,' Simmons recalled. 'I got off to a sluggish start but rallied back. Staying focused, sinking good putts – that's how I wrapped it up strong.'
He began with a bogey – an over-par shot – on the first hole, while Lewis notched a birdie on the second to grab an early advantage. Simmons countered with birdies on the third and fifth, but a double bogey – two over par – on No. 7 set him back. Lewis also birdied the fifth.
By the ninth hole, the talented Northridge player led by two strokes. Simmons then birdied No. 12, but the real game-changers were holes 14 and 15. Simmons birdied 14, and Lewis double-bogeyed 15, handing Simmons the lead. He ended with a bogey followed by a birdie on his last two holes, firing a two-under 33 on the back nine to lock in the title.
'I didn't putt my best, but I got the job done,' Simmons admitted. 'I missed some birdie chances I should've capitalized on, but I stayed consistent overall. More importantly, I delivered higher-quality shots today.'
In his swan song high school tournament, Simmons carded a 70 on Monday and 69 on Tuesday, winning by two strokes over Lewis (one over) and Leick (one over). The top five also included Loveland's Sallee (two over) and Falcon's Besler (three over).
The Grand Junction senior has a history of team success. His Tigers squad, finishing seventh this time, were runners-up in 2023 and 2024. His ex-teammate, the now-graduated Ky Korte, placed third individually last year. 'We came so close the past two years, both as a team and individually,' Simmons reflected. 'Achieving this now means everything – it shows the Western Slope's got what it takes. There are plenty of young golfers like me ready to compete at the state level.'
Simmons secured his third straight top-10 finish at state: eighth as a sophomore, 10th as a junior. He's been chasing this title for ages. 'I've been golfing since I could walk,' he chuckled. 'My parents dabble in it as a pastime, my grandpa was quite competitive, and my great uncle played at a high level.'
Thus, this remarkable senior honored his family, Grand Junction High, and the Western Slope with distinction.
And this is the part most people miss – while Mead's team win feels like destiny, some might argue it raises questions about the role of individual stars versus team synergy in high school sports. Is peaking at the right moment just good fortune, or does it reveal deeper coaching strategies or player dedication? What do you think – does this Cinderella story inspire you, or do you see it as a reminder that success often hinges on timing and luck? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a counterpoint to add to the debate!
