Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

SOLON – A three-time top-10 finisher at the state meet Isaiah Zoske has been leading the Solon golf team for the past several seasons.

As a senior on Solon roster filled with underclassmen the term leading extends well past landing on leaderboards during Zoske’s final prep season.

As he seeks his own state title Zoske has taken on a leadership role for the Spartans and that guidance is already paying dividends for the young Spartans.

Zoske won the individual title and was joined in the top 10 by freshmen Ryder Laing and Owen Heesch as Solon won its own Solon Invitational on Friday on a cool and rainy afternoon at Lake MacBride Golf Course in Solon.

“I get a lot of questions asked to me, when I was a freshman I was in the same boat asking a lot of questions and looking up to the older guys,” Zoske said. “When I was a freshman I had a lot of guys I could learn from so I know I have to be that guy for them. Those guys can ask as many questions as they want and I do my best to answer them.”

Last year’s Class 3A runner-up, Zoske fired a one-over-par 73 on Friday to claim the individual title by two strokes over Coy Peyton of West Delaware.

Laing shot a 76 to finish third and Heesch fired a 77 as Solon edged West Delaware for the team title in the season-opening meet.

“I liked a little bit, I didn’t play as well as I wanted to,” Zoske said. “I hit it alright, I hit a lot of greens I just didn’t really make any putts. The pins were in some tricky spots.”
Zoske winning the individual title came as no surprise.

The title was the second consecutive win for Zoske at the event and the third straight season he finished in the top two at his home event.

A Kirkwood recruit, Zoske shot a 35 on the front nine and closed with a 38.

“Mentally he is one of the strongest kids I’ve seen,” Stahle said. “A day like today when the conditions aren’t great he is just able to battle through it.”

What was more uncertain for the Spartans in their opening action on Friday was the play of its newcomers.

Laing and Heesch both impressed in their first taste of varsity action thanks to some advice from the upperclassmen.

“I’ve asked a lot of questions,” Laing said. “Isaiah, and the older guys have really guided me during the season so far and they’ve been a big help to me.”

Laing shot an even-par 36 on the back nine to finish with a four-over-par 76 to finish in third place.

“I was pretty nervous, I felt like it went pretty well,” Laing said. “I was pretty happy with my score.”

Heesch was just a shot back of Laing with a 77.

“We have in our top 12 two seniors and seven freshman and sophomores to say I knew what was going to happen today I’d be lying to you,” Stahle said. “I could see in rounds that they could play and I know they’ve played a lot of golf so they are comfortable and it showed. A couple of those guys had a few bad holes but they bounced back with pars and birdies like a seasoned vet and that’s impressive.”

Solon Invitational

At Lake MacBride Golf Course

Team scores – 1. Solon 308; 2. West Delaware 310; 3. Independence 313; 4. West Branch 317; 5. Tipton 329; 6. Regina 336; 7. Williamsburg 337; 8. Solon JV 341; 9. West Liberty 343; 10. Benton Community 361; 11. Clear Creek Amana 366; 12. Durant 415

Individual leaders – 1. Isaiah Zoske (SOL) 73; 2. Coy Peyton (WD) 75; 3. Ryder Laing (SOL) 76; 4. Ethan Cahalan (IND) 76; 5. Blayne Mergen (IND) 77; 6. Aidan Zirtzman (WD) 77; 7. Sawyer Jefferies (WB) 77; 8. Colson Mersch (WD) 77; 9. Owen Heesch (SOL) 77; 10. Owen Steinman (TIP) 78; 11. Bryce Anderson (WB) 78; 12. McGavin Smith (WB) 79; 13. Brendan Baker (ICR) 79; 14. Braiden Moore (BC) 79; 15. Robbie Allison (WIL) 79

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.