Kroeker sets record at Paxton Invite

BY SAMANTHA GOFF

GRANT TRIBUNE

Perkins County and Wallace golfers turned in strong performances to open the 2026 season at the Paxton High School Golf Invite on Monday, March 30, at Crandall Creek Golf Course in Ogallala. 

Perkins County’s Cade Kroeker led the field with a 73, setting a new invite record and earning first place honors in a standout performance to begin the year. 

Teammate Jet Peterson added an 81 to place fourth, while Rylee Schrotberger finished seventh with an 87, giving Perkins County three golfers inside the top 10. 

Wallace’s Micah Garrison also delivered a strong showing, finishing second overall with a 75. Teammate Tyson Sullivan placed 15th with a 95 to round out Wallace’s scorers among the medalists. 

Six schools competed in the invite, with medals awarded to the top 15 individual finishers. 

Garden County’s Bridger Beamon placed third with a 78, while Sutherland had several golfers in the top 10, including Reid Dempcy in fifth (84) and Teegan Fitzpatrick in sixth (87). 

Paxton’s top finisher was Tristen Hebblethwaite, who tied for 10th with a 93. 

The meet marked the first competition of the season for Perkins County and provided an early opportunity for athletes across the field to get back into competition form. 

With a record-breaking performance and multiple top finishes, Perkins County set the tone early, while Wallace showed promise with a runner-up finish. 

“We are excited about the upcoming season.  We have three returning varsity players and are adding two solid seniors that had run track the previous three years.  Add that with three returners and seven freshmen, the program is in a good spot.  A plus, is that we are the largest school in Class D.  With the team we have, we expect to make State and see what happens there.  Cade Kroeker, 10th grade is our number one player and is ready for a breakout season.  I am looking forward to coaching the team and they are excited for the upcoming season,” said   Coach Mark Jolliffe who is joined by Coach Eric McCormick this season. 

This year’s team includes: Seniors - Jet Peterson, Myles Bishop, Colton Kroeker and Rylee Schrotberger; juniors - Aldo Ruiz and Brayden Larson.

Sophomores are Cade Kroeker and Porter Tjaden, and freshmen - Kruz Franklin, Wyatt McClosky, Grant Gloy, Tyler Coats, Koltyn Kuper, Ethan Gonzalez and Grayson Baumgartner.

Perkins County will next compete at the DCS Varsity Meet in Benkelman on Tuesday April 7.