The Westside High School boys golf team enters the 2026 season with a legacy already cemented—and expectations that haven’t gone anywhere. After back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024, the Warriors fell just short of a third straight title last spring, finishing as state runner-up in 2025. Even so, the season reinforced what has become the standard for Westside golf: dominance, depth, and a culture built to sustain success. That standard will be tested again this year.
Westside graduated one of the most decorated senior classes in program history, including Trevor Gutschewski, Christopher Whittle, Leo Kroeger, and Cole Christensen. That group defined a historic run that featured multiple Metro and District titles, record-breaking scores, and the reestablishment of Westside as one of the premier programs in the state.
Now, a new group steps into the spotlight, one that blends experienced returners with emerging talent.
Senior Oliver DeMars enters his final season as one of the program’s most experienced leaders. After developing through the JV ranks, he broke through with consistent varsity appearances as a junior, earning Metro, District, and State team honors along the way. His steady progression, built on work ethic and composure, now shifts into a leadership role.
“With the group we graduated, there’s definitely a bigger role for me this year,” DeMars said. “I’ve been around long enough to understand what the standard is, and now it’s about making sure we keep that same level every day.”
For DeMars, the focus is simple, consistency and contribution.
“For me, it’s just about staying consistent and competing no matter what I have that day,” he said. “If I can keep myself steady and contribute, I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position as a team.”
Alongside him is junior Knox Pocras, who has been a key piece of Westside’s success since his freshman year. After stepping into the one spot early in his career, Pocras has developed into one of the team’s most reliable scorers, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Metro Conference Championship with a 67 last season.
Now a junior, he brings both experience and expectation into 2026.
“We’ve had a lot of success the past few years, and I think everyone understands what it takes to keep that going,” Pocras said. “The goal is still the same, go out, compete, and give ourselves a chance to win every time.”
That experience has translated into a stronger mental game.
“I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable in high-pressure situations,” Pocras said. “Now it’s just about being consistent and playing smart golf for all 18 holes.”
Pocras is joined by fellow returner Tye Treadwell, giving the Warriors another experienced presence in the varsity lineup. Both players have experienced the highs of a state championship and the disappointment of narrowly missing another.
“They tasted the sweet success of a state championship their freshman year and also the heartache of losing a state title last year by a slim margin,” head coach Jered Hellman said.
While the core of returners provides stability, younger players are expected to play a major role in shaping this season. Sophomore Niko Reyes, who gained valuable experience as a freshman, is one of the names to watch.
“I look for Niko to make serious noise this season and his name will be known quickly amongst our competitors,” Hellman said.
Another emerging contributor is Harrison Dana, a multi-sport athlete who also competes in hockey.
“Harry is an elite hockey player as well as a scratch golfer,” Hellman said. “He epitomizes everything I look for in a student athlete.”
Despite the roster turnover, the identity of the program remains unchanged. In recent years, Westside has built a culture centered around internal competition, accountability, and a team-first mindset. That culture was evident throughout last season’s Metro and District championship runs, where depth across the lineup consistently made the difference.
Even when not every scorecard was perfect, someone stepped up—a trend that has defined Westside’s success. That same formula will be critical this season as younger players take on larger roles and veterans assume greater responsibility.
“This is an amazing group of young men,” Hellman said. “The other coaches and myself couldn’t be more excited about the mix of young talent, a great group of seniors, and boys that understand how we operate.”
Hellman believes the team’s mentality will be its greatest strength.
“Our team-first mentality will be our biggest strength,” he said. “Our motto is forged, not found. We will leave no stone unturned as we seek to get our name back atop Class A golf.”
The Warriors have also set clear goals as they prepare for the most important stretches of the season.
“We will play our best golf in three majors of the year,” Hellman said. “We look to peak for Metro, Districts, and the State tournament.”
As Westside begins its 2026 campaign, the expectation isn’t just to be good—it’s to contend. With experienced leaders, rising talent, and a culture built on sustained excellence, the Warriors are once again chasing a state title and looking to prove that their place at the top of Nebraska golf is no accident.
