Credit to Kaylin Mort

Senior Ayden Larson poses for a photo during media day.

Austin Larson: Boys Golf

Q: What is your name and how do you spell it?

A: My name is Austin Larson, A-U-S-T-I-N L-A-R-S-O-N.

Q: What sports do you play?

A: I play golf.

Q: What position/events do you play/do on the team?

A: There’s not really positions, but I’m the varsity 2 spot. 
So I guess I would say like assistant captain almost. So a leader.

Q: What is your role/impact on the team?

A: Really, anyone on varsity can have a big impact, but I would honestly just say being able to produce one of the best scores on the team is probably a pretty big impact, because that can help the team a lot if someone shoots a really low score.

Q: What are some of your key statistics so far?

A: I’ve only ever lost one match in my whole high school career, and that was last year to howl. Um, I got top 3 in 2 tournaments last year, and our team won 4 of them, and I medaled in all of them, so.

Q: So, you all have a big game coming up against Central, huh?

A: Yeah, we have a match against Central this year. 
Well, at least play them once. We’ll see them in probably almost every tournament we play. We should beat them. 
We, I mean, every year I’ve played them, we beat them. It’s always, I know a few people on their team, so it’s always fun to play against them. 

Q: When is the game?

A: Yeah, either that or we might play our match before a tournament. Um, our match before that would be straight head on head against them versus against other teams.

Q: Where will the game be played?

A: Sounds like it’ll be at the Links of Dardenne as of now. That could change.

Q: What can you tell me about how both teams have been playing this season?

A: Well, I do know Central. They got a transfer this year who, um, he’s pretty good. He’s gone to the University of Nebraska for PGA management degree. 
And, um, I know their best player, uh, AJ. He’s pretty good, so it should be a pretty fun, one versus 2 matchup, and then I think I trust him with the rest of the team to hopefully, you know, carry on and beat them. 

Q: What was the game like the last time the two teams met?

A: To be honest, we kind of kicked their butt. Yeah, we played them in a tri-match against Howell, so we played them both at the same time, and unfortunately, Howell shot a state record against us. 
So not so much we can do against there, but I think everyone on the team kind of felt the Howell rivalry and the central rivalry, and, you know, we all played pretty good, and we beat them by a pretty good margin.

Q: What have you all been doing to prepare for it?

A: Yeah, our team information meeting was supposed to be yesterday, but it got snowed out. So we’ll probably have open mats here once all the snow clears. And then right after that, that’s when the season’s starting and we’ll play central shortly after that.

Q: What kind of team is Central? Describe them a bit for me.

A: You know, this is probably one of the stronger teams they’ve had in the last few years. 
They have, like I said, I mentioned AJ earlier. He’s good. They have a transfer from Colorado. 
And then they have Mrs. Beveridge’s son who I think is also pretty good so. Hopefully, it’ll be a close match this year and we’ll have to definitely play good if we want to beat them.

Q: Why is this upcoming game a big one for the team?

A: Yeah, for me and my brother, especially, our districts tournament, that’s a really big tournament because, uh, you have to get top 12 in the district to qualify for state and qualify for state is always a good opportunity. It’s, uh, It’s certainly not easy. 
Like, it’s really hard to do, but, you know, it’s always that kind of day that’s circled on your calendar that you look up for.

Q: What will be the toughest part of the game for North and how do you all hope to overcome that part?

A: Yeah. Um… You know, having the, I’d say the mental strength to, like, because I’m gonna make it, like, you’re gonna make a mistake out there playing, and during districts, if I make a mistake, I’ve got to have, like, the mental strength to kind of recover from it and bounce back to be able to get into state, because it won’t be easy, but, you know, kind of got to work for it.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about this game?

A: Probably just… It’s the end of the year and I’m sure by that point we’ll have so much fun. 
The season’s always so much fun and it’s, uh, It’s just a huge tournament. Being able to feel that pressure is definitely a privilege, because it’s not every day you get to play under pressure like that, and it just makes, kind of makes it feel more important. And I think that’s what I like about it, it just means more.

Q: What kind of game do you see this shaping up to be?

A: Yeah. Well, you can individually qualify. You know, I think Howell will probably qualify as a team. That’s always a big accomplishment, so if we can snag a win off of them, that’d be nice. Um, CBC or Shamanad, they’re in our district. They’re also really, really good. So those are problem teams that we’d have to compete against.

Q: What will need to happen for North to come out on top

A: Staying disciplined. If you work throughout the year, I always kind of believe you’re gonna get what you deserve. So, you know, you don’t play good in districts. 
Maybe you had a bad day, but at the end of the day, could you have worked harder to get in? The answer is probably yes. So if you want to get in, you’re gonna have to put in work and each rep is gonna have to be something. 
It’s gonna have to be focused practice.

Q: How do you think this game will go?

A: I think me and my brother definitely have a good shot to qualify for state. 
I’d like to see one other person qualify for state. So, no one, besides me and my brother, have ever played in districts, and the pressure is definitely new, so, depends on how those, the new guys are gonna be able to handle pressure. I’d love to see them do good.

Q: How is this game different from others for the team?

A: Yeah, like I said, it kind of just means more. 
Like, you’re gonna feel pressure. Everyone, no one looks for their season to come to a close early. Everyone wants to keep going.

Q: Do you have anything you’d like to add or is there anyone else that I could talk to?

A: Not that I can think of.

Q: Thank you very much for your time.

A: You’re welcome, have a good day.