After seeing its six-year run of state tournament appearances dashed last season, the Galion varsity boys golf team hopes to start a new streak beginning with the 2024 season.

The Tigers finished third in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference (MOAC) last season before finishing third in the sectional tournament and fourth in the district tournament, respectively. While they will have to replace one of their best players in Logan Keller, head coach Bryce Lehman will have the benefit of plenty of experience with the return of six other top producers.

Senior Nate McMullen is expected to lead the way after a strong junior season, and he will be joined by seniors Carson Walker and Jack Rinehart, transfer junior Chase Dininger, sophomores Parker Tinch, Jackson Henry, and Zach Moneysmith, and two freshmen in Christian and Cullen Hart who will compete for a varsity spot this season.

“The team has put in countless hours playing in summer tournaments and practicing and playing since the snow melted. They are prepared and ready,” said Lehman, who is entering his 13th year leading the program.

Lehman said the expectation is for the Tigers to compete for a MOAC championship, qualify for the district tournament, and hopefully perform well enough to return to the state tournament. To achieve those goals, he said much will be decided by how mentally strong his team can be. “Honestly, the six inches between their ears,” Lehman said when asked what it will take for the season to be successful.

Whatever ultimately happens on the course this season, Lehman is enjoying the tight-knit bond the team has created, both within the team and with their individual families, which he said come together as one unit season after season.

“I expect great things,” Lehman went on to say. “We’re a strong group that has the potential to do extraordinary results.”