Baraboo ties for second at Sand Valley Invite behind Jauch’s 76

NEKOOSA, Wis. - Baraboo turned in a 3-under-par team score and finished tied for second Wednesday at the Sand Valley Invite, one stroke behind Stevens Point at Sand Valley Golf Resort playing the Mammoth Dunes course.

Sophomore Cooper Jauch led the Thunderbirds with a 76, the low round for Baraboo on a day that coach-provided notes described as a special experience for the team. Junior Jack Brinker followed with a 78, while sophomores Finnley Schindler and Peyton Olson each carded 82s. Sophomore Will Stelling rounded out the team scoring with an 89. Using the program’s standard four-score format, Baraboo also posted a 318, a number that matched the level the Thunderbirds want to maintain as the season moves forward.

The invite’s format added a different wrinkle to the day. Rather than a traditional lineup structure, Baraboo played together as a full team, with the best score counting on par 5s, two scores counting on par 4s and three scores counting on par 3s. The format gave the Thunderbirds a chance to compete in a more collaborative setting than a typical event, and it created opportunities for players to help one another throughout their rounds.

That team-first approach paid off on a course and in an event setting that has become notable for high school golfers. Sand Valley has developed into a destination for golf fans, and the Wednesday invite gave Baraboo’s players a chance to experience that environment together. The conditions also cooperated with temperatures in the mid-70s and little wind, with clear skies.

Baraboo’s combination of low individual rounds and steady team scoring kept the Thunderbirds in contention throughout the day. Jauch’s 76 set the pace, Brinker stayed close behind, and the matching 82s from Schindler and Olson provided valuable depth in a format that rewarded consistency across the lineup. Finishing one stroke off the top spot and tying for second gave Baraboo both a strong tournament result and another sign that its group score remains in a good place early in the season.