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Wheeler leads Sikeston golf team in hopes of return to state
SIKESTON -- Sikeston's Gabe Wheeler will be hunting for his third straight trip to the state golf meet.
Coming into this season as a junior, Wheeler is counting a return trip as one of his goals but he also calls this year his most important.
"I'm starting to get into that college time and some college coaches are contacting me," Wheeler said. "I've kind of taken over the leadership of this team now that Kirk (Hoggatt) and Evan (Deere) have left. Kind of my time this year. It's exciting."
Wheeler will be the anchor of the Sikeston golf team after an all-state performance last season. The junior finished tied for 12th during the Class 3 state golf tournament at the Sedalia Country Club with a two-day score of 153. He also finished second overall during the SEMO Conference tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club late in the year.
"I think he's building his competitive golf for his future of college golf," Sikeston golf coach Brent Taylor said. "He gives us that solid No. 1 that's going to shoot that number for you and put you in the hunt most days. He's also that kind of kid that rallies the others. He's done a really good job as a leader."
Wheeler has spent the offseason competing in numerous state tournaments as well as out-of-state tournaments to help improve his game. Wheeler's biggest win was at the Missouri Trusted Choice Big I tournament which qualified him to play in the national championship in North Carolina. He did not make the cut after two days of competition.
Wheeler also played in multiple Missouri Golf Association tournaments as well as plantations where he's ranked third out of over 200 golfers. His offseason success has Wheeler thinking of an even better finish this year.
"All-state was my goal at the start of the year and that felt great," said Wheeler. "This year is being top-5 in every tournament including sectionals and state is here I'm at. Maybe even win it this year."
Wheeler, who is receiving interest from Murray State, Missouri State and is also looking at schools in both South Carolina and Florida, said that breaking par on a regular basis will be key in his growth.
"Right now, by our first tournament I think I'll get my game down to that," he said. "Here in practice I'm still shooting two or three over, but by the end of this year I want to be breaking par regularly."
Wheeler will lead a foursome of senior Austin Bowman and juniors Blake Below and Clark Atchinson.
Bowman did not qualify for the state tournament last year but played in every tournament and match. According to Taylor, Below and Atchinson have shown improvement from their time playing junior varsity last season.
"I have four really strong players this year that I think can put up some good numbers," Taylor said. "We're still trying to find that fifth guy but we have four solid guys right now."
Sikeston will open its season March 27 at the Cape Girardeau Country Club with a tri-match against Saxony Lutheran and Cape Central. They will also play in the Notre Dame Invitational March 31 at Bent Creek.
"The biggest factor this year is how much do we want it, how much to do want to contend, how much we want to try and practice," Wheeler said. "If they come with as much authority and how much they want it, I'd put us up there with anybody."