Senior-heavy team looks to win second state championship in three years
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
The Lone Peak High School girls golf team continues to make a strong impression on the state. On Monday, May 11, the Big Horns earned their third straight Class B southern division title, with individuals finishing in first, second and third place for a cumulative 39-stroke win at Lake Hills Golf Course in Billings.
The girls combined to finish 66 over par, even without senior Maddie Wilcynski, who missed the match due to International Baccalaureate testing. Freshman Tatum Bedell stepped into Wilcynski’s spot, and finished 23rd with an individual score of 116. Seniors Cate Leydig, Dylan Manka and Olivia Kamieniarz finished in first, second and third place, shooting 75, 78 and 85, respectively, to sweep the individual podium and send the Big Horns into the state tournament with a lot of confidence and hopes of repeating their 2024 Class B title.
“We know that there’s going to be other competition from the other divisions,” head coach Jenny Wilcynski told EBS in a phone call Tuesday, reflecting on her team’s dominant performance in the divisional round. “But to have that big of a stroke difference is pretty reassuring for the girls.”
This year’s meet will be held on May 19 and 20, at the same Billings venue as the divisional tournament. Wilcynski said it’s a course that’s been friendly to her team over the years, and the squad is now closely familiar with the current conditions on the course.
Everything has lined up nicely for the experienced girls team, whose four typical scorers are all seniors with a track record of success. Coach Wilcynski credits all of their hard work over the years, and said they’ve come together in a very collaborative dynamic. Furthermore, their 2024 title proved they can handle the big stage, and Wilcynski said it’s an exciting time for the program.
“I feel like they’re all really working together and supporting each other, between their years of talent and all of their hard work,” Wilcynski said. “… You never know what next week will bring, and we just hope we can put our best foot forward and we can edge out our competition.”
While the boys team has not seen the same team-wide success over recent years, players like 2025 graduate Isaac Bedway have qualified individually for the state tournament. This year, sophomore Syd Leydig earned his spot in the tournament by finishing tied for 19th on Monday, shooting an 88—the top 20 finishers advance from the divisional tournament.
Through the season, Leydig struggled to reach his potential at times, but enjoyed a breakout success in the high-pressure divisional round. Wilcynski credited Leydig’s many additional practice hours for the rewarding result.
“I mean, he shot probably 12 to 15 strokes lower than he shot all year,” Wilcynski said. “… I think he has put in a lot of hours and is really hoping that his time has paid off.”
Syd’s sister, Cate, returned from a year training and studying at the Junior Players Golf Academy in South Carolina. In her absence, the Lone Peak girls finished in third place at the 2025 state tournament. Cate returned for her senior year and seems to be enjoying the return to her Big Sky teammates.
“We were so excited for her to come back, and be a part of the whole team again,” coach Wilcynski said. “And for her, it probably feels good to be a part of the team she grew up with.”
After next week’s tournament, the successful group of seniors will hang up their Lone Peak jerseys for the last time, and Wilcynski will shift her focus to continuing the program’s exceptional success. She highlighted young players in Penelope Brooke, Sabine Hurlbut and Ella Smith, noting they can “absolutely make things happen” when it’s their turn to lead the varsity squad.
“I would hope that more players come to the table and look at the success, and want to be a part of it,” Wilcynski added.
Supporters can follow along for next Tuesday and Wednesday’s tournament on the Golf Genius app and through the Montana High School Association’s website.
