Big Horns place three girls in top five; Leydig takes individual title
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
The class of 2026 crew on Lone Peak High School’s girls golf team will forever be remembered for the remarkable feat of winning the Class B state championship twice in three years.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19 and 20, the Big Horns traveled to Billings for their fourth consecutive state tournament appearance. Through the first 18-hole round on Tuesday, the team led by 26 strokes—about six strokes per golfer, with four players scoring. On Wednesday, through sun, wind, rain and more rain, the team extended their margin by more than double, finishing with a 65-stroke victory over Florence-Carlton High School.
“It’s cool, state champions. There’s only one of those… I’m so proud of them, it’s really fun as a coach,” head coach Jenny Wilcynski told EBS in a phone call Thursday. “You have joy for [the players], you have joy for the program. Because it’s definitely not easy… The second one, that’s a pretty big deal, for sure.”
She noted that the girls take immense pride in representing Big Sky on the Class B stage full of larger schools, and said they’ve been “team-focused” and supportive of each other for all four years.
“I think there’s so much pride in competing for a small community… we’re the only program that has brought home a state championship,” Wilcynski added. The 2024 and 2026 Class B titles supplement Lone Peak’s past championships at the Class C level—one for the girls, and a handful for the boys program.
Athletics Director John Hannahs, who also serves as a coach for the golf program, spoke to how incredible an accomplishment it is for the same four girls to win the Class B title twice in their four years.
“It’s most definitely an anomaly,” Hannahs said in a phone call. “To be even in the conversation three years in a row is something. And to be champion two of those years… It just speaks to how hard that group of kids worked over the years, and most importantly, how much they love the game… We’re just really proud of them.”
Leydig wins individual title, Kamieniarz close behind
Individually, Big Horn golfers secured the top two spots.
Across 36 holes, senior Cate Leydig finished seven over par by shooting 79 and 72, respectively, placing her atop the Class B leaderboard. Her teammate, senior Olivia Kamieniarz, finished 13 over by shooting 80 and 77, respectively, earning her runner-up. Senior Dylan Manka finished 27 over par, shooting 84 and 87 and securing fifth place.
“They’ve grown to love this sport, the spirit of the game,” coach Wilcynski said. “They’ve put in so many hours over the summer, and on their own over the years… It’s so cool for them to come in and absolutely dominate those top spots.”
Wilcynski said it’s a big deal to have two players—Leydig and Kamieniarz—in the final pairing, a group of five top-ranked golfers entering day two. The coach had to keep her team-oriented mindset, while still coaching each contender individually. Having known both Kamieniarz and Leydig since kindergarten, coach Wilcynski knew how to best support each player in a mentally challenging sport.
Wilcynski said any of Lone Peak’s top three—Leydig, Kamieniarz and Manka—could have won, just depending on how it shook out on the second day. It was “friendly competition,” with each player rooting for each other and also for themselves.
On Wednesday, Leydig eagled the 11th hole; Kamieniarz birdied. Coach Wilcynski beamed.
“They were playing side by side, and that’s what was so unique about yesterday… each of them could have won individually,” Wilcynski said.
Maddie Wilcynski finished tied for 29th, shooting a 96 and 97 across her two rounds. Bedell finished tied for 63rd place, shooting a 122 and then improving to a 107 in her final round.
Wilcynski and Hannahs thanked local businesses like Big Sky Resort and its golf pro Tom Conway for making the course available, as well Moonlight Basin for allowing the team to use its golf simulators.
“It’s invaluable,” Hannahs said.
Players reflect: ‘nothing but joy, fun and laughter’
Carrying hardware home for the fourth time in four years, the girls rushed home to prepare for this weekend’s graduation ceremony. All who scored in the state tournament are seniors—only freshman Tatum Bedell, who scored at the divisional tournament and played as an alternate at state, will remain on varsity next year.
The program will look different in the graduates’ absence, but coach Wilcynski believes juniors Penelope Boone, Sabine Hurlbut and Ella Smith have what it takes to continue the team’s success if they put some extra effort in this summer, and into their senior season.
“I mean, [the seniors] are all just so helpful and sweet with the younger kids,” Hannahs said. “… They’ve seen what it takes, and I think [younger players] know, most importantly, there isn’t any pressure on them. If they just go out there and play golf and have fun, then things will kind of work themselves out.”
All four seniors reflected on the championship via text in a thread organized by coach Wilcynski.
“This week’s win really felt like a culmination of all the hard work we have put into golf throughout high school,” Leydig stated. “While it’s bittersweet to be closing this chapter, it feels good to leave knowing we were able to accomplish so much while at Lone Peak.”
Manka said she’s “beyond proud” of the team’s accomplishments over four years, which included a Class C runner-up finish during their freshman year, and a third-place finish in 2025.
“Ending our senior year with a championship win was an amazing way to close this chapter,” Manka stated. “We’ve all put so much time and work into golf these past few years, and it’s incredible to see it all pay off. Some of my favorite memories have been competing and playing alongside my closest friends on the course.”
Kamieniarz echoed the pride of being part of two state championships for LPHS.
“Being able to grow up with these girls from a young age, to playing our senior year all together has been an experience I am happy to be a part of,” Kamieniarz stated. “We have put a lot of work into golf this year and we were able to show it at states.”
Maddie Wilcynski added she’s proud of and happy for her teammates.
“Playing with this team all year has brought nothing but joy, fun and laughter,” Wilcynski stated. “Being able to close it off with success was icing on the cake.”
Wilcynski will now move on from her role as head coach, and expects Hannahs and fellow assistant coach Austin Larsen to help lead the program next year, as well as any other interested coaches who step up. She called it “bittersweet,” and said she won’t be far—she’ll continue coaching individually and rooting for the Big Horns.
“I’m excited for somebody else to take it and see what they can do,” Wilcynski said.
