All-area boys golf: Budzien, Ott claim top honors
People love to discredit Phil Jackson’s 11 NBA championships because he had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal at his disposal. But Jackson knew how to blend talent, keep his stars happy and eventually produce titles.
On a smaller scale, Greg Budzien has mastered those same skills at Arrowhead.
Year after year, the Journal Sentinel's area coach of the year is blessed with some of the top golfers in the state, but also faces a bevy of potential distractions. But Budzien is a master at navigating any rough waters the Warhawks may encounter and continues to lead Arrowhead to greatness.
He leads an all-area team that includes Arrowhead freshman sensation Piercen Hunt, who won the Division 1 state title earlier this month, and Marquette senior Harrison Ott, who was named the area player of the year at the Journal Sentinel Sports Awards last month.
This season, the Warhawks finished second in their first meet of the year — the 27-team Washington County Invite on April 8. From that point forward, Arrowhead didn’t lose again.
The Warhawks capped their magical season by winning the WIAA Division 1 state championship, the third since Budzien became head coach in 2011. According to Budzien, Arrowhead finished the year 270-1 overall, with its only blemish coming in its first meet of the year.
“I love my guys. They’re a very tight-knit brotherhood,” Budzien said. “And I am just grateful for the embarrassment of riches that is the Arrowhead golf program. It was a great year.”
FIRST TEAM
Piercen Hunt, fr., Arrowhead: Won the WIAA Division 1 individual state tournament by five shots over his nearest competitor. Also powered the Warhawks to their second state title in three seasons and their seventh since 2007. Hunt won six events this spring and had 11 top-three finishes. He finished the year with a 73.66 average and became the first freshman to win a state championship since 2002. “Kids like Piercen don’t come around very often,” Arrowhead coach Greg Budzien said. “They really don’t. I can’t tell you how lucky I am to be his coach.”
Robbie Morway, sr., Homestead: Player of the year in the always outstanding North Shore Conference, then finished third individually at state. In 17 events throughout the season, Morway had 13 top-four finishes and was outside the top eight just once. Morway finished with a 73.69 average that included a 67 at The Legends at Bristlecone Pines.
Harrison Ott., sr., Marquette: Vanderbilt recruit won seven events during the regular season and finished in a tie for fifth at state. Ott averaged 73.76, and in 18 events, finished outside the top-10 just once.
Hunter Pipik, sr., New Berlin West: Pipik won the WIAA Division 2 state championship, becoming the first player from West to accomplish that feat since Scott Evans in 1976. Pipik finished first in eight of the 15 tournaments he played in and had a season average of 75.23.
Matt Polivka, sr., Muskego: Player of the year in the terrific Classic 8 Conference who highlighted his brilliant year with a fifth-place finish at state. Polivka finished in the top-4 in 10 of 14 events during the regular season, won a sectional title and averaged 74.62 overall.
SECOND TEAM
Jack Blair, soph., Marquette: Player of the year in the Greater Metro Conference and averaged a blistering 74.12. Had nine top-three finishes during the regular season, was second at regionals and tied for 12th individually at state.
Bennett Knapek, sr., Arrowhead: Was runner-up for Classic 8 Conference player of the year honors for a third straight year. Averaged 75.43 and finished in a tie for 12th place individually at state.
Alex Yost, jr., Arrowhead: A two-time co-captain with Knapek, Yost has now been part of two state title teams at Arrowhead. Yost averaged 76.91 this year, had eight top-five finishes, and finished in a tie for eighth at state.
Jack Anderson, soph., Brookfield Central: First-team all-Greater Metro Conference player who averaged 78.51. Anderson also powered the Lancers to the state tournament, where he finished in a tie for 17th individually.
Zach Shawnhan, jr., Racine Case: Player of the year in the Southeast Conference. Won six events, including regionals, and posted 12 top-three finishes. Season-average was 77.19 and he finished 34th individually at state.
THIRD TEAM
Ben DeStefanis, sr., Marquette: Had an up-and-down regular season when he averaged 79.68. But Stefanis caught fire when it mattered most, finished fifth individually at state and helped the Hilltoppers place second as a team.
Matthew Raab, soph., Arrowhead: Broke 70 two different times this season and finished with a 76.80 average. Finished first individually at regionals, won the Ashenfelter Invite and notched eight top-five finishes.
Brett Grulkowski, jr., Franklin: Won five events this year, including regionals. Finished the season with a 78.23 average and tied for 24th individually at state.
Ryan Wikel, sr., Muskego: First-team all-Classic 8 Conference performer who averaged 76.97 overall. Had 11 top-five finishes and tied for 29th individually at state.
Steven Sanicki, soph., Menomonee Falls: Finished 29th at state after advancing through the ultra-competitive Homestead Sectional. Also earned first-team all-Greater Metro Conference honors.
HONORABLE MENTION
Nathan Brown, sr., Catholic Memorial; Steven Butler, sr., Marquette; Andrew Clement, soph., Pewaukee; Matt Comiskie, jr., Whitefish Bay; Peter Dorward, sr., Cedarburg; Zach Dybul, sr., Mukwonago; Ben Gabbey, soph., Muskego; Adam Garski, jr., Wauwatosa; Kody Koehn, soph., Kettle Moraine; Kyle Loose, jr., Kettle Moraine; Rohan Nangia, jr., Brookfield Academy; Jack O’Brien, sr., Racine St. Catherine’s; Max Pasher, sr., Homestead; Alex Pellegrini, jr., Brookfield Academy; Joey Ploch, jr., Oconomowoc; Brayden Pozorski, sr., Mukwonago; Zach Reiser, jr., Arrowhead; Josh Rowinski, jr., Catholic Memorial; Nolan Ruffing, jr., Franklin; Andrew Sagrillo, soph., Marquette; Matthew Schilling, sr., Kettle Moraine; Jacob Schlosser, soph., Kewaskum; Mason Schultz, soph., Mukwonago; Brandon Staudt, jr., University School; Brandon Talaska, sr., Brookfield Central.