The Westside High School boys golf team is heading back to the state championship; and they’re doing it with dominance, depth, and history on their side. The Warriors captured both the Metro and District titles over the past two weeks, solidifying their No. 1 state ranking and setting the stage for a potential third consecutive state championship.
At the Metro Conference Championship, Westside secured its third straight title with a team score of 284. Senior Trevor Gutschewski led the way with a 66 to earn medalist honors, while sophomore Knox Pocras fired a 67 to claim second place overall. Junior Oliver DeMars shot a 73, senior Christopher Whittle added a 78, and sophomore Tye Treadwell rounded out the lineup with an 83.
“For these seniors and me, the goal was always to bring Westside Golf back to its historic roots,” said third-year head coach Jered Hellman. “Westside won the first four Metro Golf tournaments in 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968. Winning our third straight Metro title marks the first time since that legendary run that we’ve reached such a milestone. It puts Westside back where it belongs—at the top, a program synonymous with excellence.”
Sophomore Knox Pocras reflected on his performance at Metros and how it felt to place in the top two with one of his teammates.
“Trevor was a junior when I came in as a freshman and helped me a ton, so it’s really cool getting up there with him,” Pocras said. “Him and I getting first and second place was a big deal for the team. I think we were both really happy with how we played.”
Hellman emphasized that the team’s consistency isn’t by chance, it’s a product of a carefully built culture.
“What people don’t always see is the culture we’ve built—one rooted in hard work, selflessness, and a ‘We > Me’ mentality,” Hellman said. “These boys put in countless hours outside of scheduled practices. They golf together on weekends, they travel together, and they support each other. They’ve become a family.”
That chemistry was clear at Metros, where underclassmen stepped up in key moments.
“When Christopher and Tye didn’t have their best rounds, Knox stepped up in a huge way,” Hellman added. “Oliver came out firing, battled through early bogeys, and finished strong. Along with Trevor’s dominant round, those two propelled us to the win. That kind of poise from younger players speaks to our team’s character.”
At Districts, Westside raised the bar even higher, posting a staggering team score of 272—shattering the Class A state scoring record of 277. Gutschewski once again led with a 64, followed by Treadwell’s 67, Whittle’s 69, Pocras’ 72, and senior Leo Kroeger’s 80. The Warriors claimed four of the top five individual spots: Gutschewski (1st), Treadwell (2nd), Whittle (3rd), and Pocras (5th).
“Today was special because we knew we had a chance to break the 277 state scoring record,” Hellman said. “To not only accomplish that but to do it in such impressive fashion is a testament to these boys and the hard work and dedication they’ve put in.”
Treadwell was proud of his performance and the team’s all-around effort.
“I was really proud of myself and how I played,” Treadwell said. “I think we all played really well. When you can look around and see your team playing well, it really boosts your morale.”
With one more tournament ahead, Westside is chasing a third straight state championship—and for seniors like Gutschewski, it’s the final chapter in a special run.
“Closing out on my high school career, I’m feeling good,” Gutschewski said. “I leave this place with appreciation for what it’s given me. I have a lot of golf left in me, but some of my favorite memories will always be playing with these boys. I’m really excited to make a run with them at state again.”
Westside will graduate four seniors from this year’s powerhouse roster: Gutschewski, Whittle, Kroeger, and Cole Christansen, a reliable contributor who helped define the team’s depth and standard in recent seasons. For Coach Hellman, saying goodbye to this senior class will be emotional—but he knows their impact will live on.
“From day one with this senior group, we preached hard work, dedication, and passion,” Hellman said. “The love had to be earned—but it followed. What we’ve built together is truly something special.”
With unmatched talent, elite scoring, and a legacy-driven culture, Westside now turns its focus to one last goal: cementing their place in history with a third consecutive state title.
