Leidel caps a laudable preps career on the links

Jake Leidel didn’t repeat as North Shore Conference Golfer of the Year, but statistically he had a better season than last year.

The Grafton High School senior averaged 38 strokes per nine holes, edging his 38.4 last season.

Leidel’s best round was 71 at the Washington County Invite that included nine holes at the Hartford Golf Club and nine at the Washington County Course.

Last season, Leidel was named to the NSC first team for the second straight season, and he again earned all-state honorable mention. As a sophomore, he was named to the NSC second team.

“He had a great high school career,” coach Phil Trottier said. “He was one of the best to do it in my 17 years of coaching at Grafton High School.”

Leidel last season helped the Black Hawks to their first conference title since 1992.

Another element makes Leidel’s success on the links all the more amazing. It’s not where he started his high school career.

“He accomplished all of this after playing baseball his freshman year,” Trottier said.

Next year, Leidel will play golf at Bryant and Stratton College in Wauwatosa, which practices at the Bog in the Town of Saukville. Grafton’s assistant coach and former golfing star Max Bailke attended Bryant and Stratton and qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II golf championship in 2025.

Schowalter ends career with high honor

Port Washington senior Jack Schowalter was named to the Glacier Trails Conference first team.

“Despite a few struggles with some GTC matches, Jack finished first or tied for first in four of the seven conference matches. Pretty impressive,” coach Rory Palubiski said.

Schowalter was third in the conference for scoring. He won two conference meets, tied for first in another and second in another.

Golfers earn high grades

Eight golfers from Port and Grafton earned academic all-state honors this year. Requirements include a 3.25 grade-point average, playing in 75% of the team’s varsity competitions, being in good standing regarding the athletic and school codes and being a sophomore, junior or senior.

Port’s honorees are Schowalter, Eric Krentz, Brady Schmidt, Gabe Jerome and Ava Burt.

Grafon’s honorees are Kendyl Conrad, Jack Birmingham and Parker Strozewski.