photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High seniors Macade Lewis (left) and Dallas Ostronic (right) smile for a picture before practice on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence, Kansas. Lewis and Ostronic have played a key role in restoring the LHS boys golf program to respectability.

Neither Macade Lewis nor Dallas Ostronic, two of Lawrence High’s five seniors on the boys golf team, could’ve predicted spending their final days of high school on the links of Eagle Bend Golf Course, just over the dam from big, blue Clinton Lake.

But there’s Lewis and Ostronic, ready for practice, standing just off the practice putting green with temperatures in the mid-60s on Wednesday afternoon – perfect weather for a round of golf. Neither of them, eager to head off to KU next fall, spent much time around the game before arriving at Lawrence High.

Right now, the pair’s playing some of their best golf yet. Ostronic tied for 27th among 64 golfers carding an 80 at the Firekeeper Open, an hour north of Lawrence, in Mayetta on Tuesday. Lewis placed 51st, shooting 91.

Those numbers might not shine off the page, but for Ostronic and Lewis, it represents serious progress for a program that didn’t feel quite up to par when they inherited it just a few years ago.

“I was instantly on varsity sophomore year because we didn’t really have anybody,” Ostronic said.

“We’ve come a long way,” Lewis added.

For years, the LHS and Free State boys golf programs have been pitted against some of the toughest competition in the state. The last five Class 6A state titles belong to Blue Valley (2022, 2021), Shawnee Mission East (2019, 2018), or Blue Valley North (2017).

When asked about facing the talented names just 30 minutes up the road in Kansas City, Lewis rolls his eyes.

“Those kids are different,” Ostronic said. “We’re not like them. Me, Macade, Jack (Elsten), and a lot of us except for a couple of freshmen, we just started a couple of years ago. It’s really hard to compete with those kids that have just grown up around it and everything.”

The 2020 season, canceled by the pandemic, soaked up most of LHS coach John Moos’ returning talent for the 2021 season. He recalls just one returning golfer with any varsity experience.

“Golf is just one of those sports that you can’t just pick up and be really good on day one,” Moos said. “We only have them for a short time, 10 weeks tops, and we try to get as much out of them as we can.”

All five LHS seniors – Lewis, Ostronic, Elsten, Peyton Reder and Mason Shaw – have been tabbed with being the leaders of a 14-man roster. It’s the first season, in a while, that Moos had to make cuts.

“I’ve kinda thrown those kids into the Lion’s den, so to speak,” Moos said. “Having Dallas and Mac kind of showing them the ropes has been nice to get that done.”

Golf’s increasing popularity is slipping through the cracks at LHS, according to Ostronic. He credits Moos with implementing a competitive nature, not just at varsity tournaments, but at weekly practices.

“What motivates me to do better is I want to say that ‘I beat Macade Lewis’ when I get back,” Ostronic said.

Also on Ostronic’s list of teammates to beat are sophomore Nate Schworm, junior Gunnar Wayenberg and freshman Andrew Kirkwood. Schworm holds the team’s best individual performance, thus far, carding a 77 for 10th place at the Olathe Northwest invite on Monday.

“They’re better than us already,” Lewis admitted. “We’ve got to put them in their spot here for another year, but then it’s their program.”

Ostronic plans to study finance at KU, while Lewis has his sights on civil engineering.

The third round of the Sunflower League tournament is slated for May 3. Before that, LHS will compete at Lawrence Country Club next Monday and conclude their regular season at Eagle Bend on May 10. Regionals are set for May 16 at Olathe-Heritage Park Golf Course.