Crusaders treat ascension to 4A as matter of course

Faith Lutheran won’t get a chance to defend its Class 3A boys golf state championship.

The Crusaders, who return every player from 2009’s banner-winning team, will try to win one at 4A instead.

“I think our outlook is positive,” coach Mark Wilson said. “In other sports, Faith has been kind of pounded, like, 'Welcome to 4A.’ We’re not going to have that kind of experience. We’re comfortable with 4A. We’ve competed with 4A over the years.”

Senior Yuki Kato, last year’s 3A champion who ranks in the top 50 nationally, is only one of Faith Lutheran’s standouts. The

Crusaders also return seniors Charley Berry (79.5 average in 2009), Alex Vance (81) and Trevor Ensign (81.5). Their state tournament experience will be vital as the team jumps to Nevada’s top classification.

“I like it. I enjoy the competition,” said Kato, who averaged 71.4. “But as a team, it will be tougher. We have to beat out more teams; it will be a lot tougher to even make it to state. I’ve played with a lot of the kids in the summer, so I know how they play.”

Then again, Kato’s 36-hole total of 139 at the 3A state tournament also would have won the 4A title, and he is used to playing against top-level golfers. He won medalist honors at a USGA Junior Amateur Qualifier in June with a 10-under 134, then made a quarterfinal match play appearance at the U.S. Junior Amateur in Bedminster, N.J.

“That was probably the best tournament I’ve ever played. They counted 150 college coaches, so it was (my) most nerve-wracking tournament,” Kato said.

Kato recently signed with Xavier, one of the top teams in the Atlantic 10, removing any pressure from recruiting during his senior season.

“They were the best mix of education and golf,” said Kato, who has a 4.0 grade-point average and plans to major in natural sciences or sports management. “I was looking at Colorado State and Oregon State, but my parents wanted me to have a better education. (Xavier) offered (a scholarship) the earliest, so we took it so we didn’t have to worry about that.”

The 2009 individual title boosts Kato confidence entering the season. After placing sixth at state as a freshman, he missed the tournament in 2008 after breaking his clavicle during gym class.

With a healthy Kato and a new-found confidence in 4A, the Crusaders expect to make the most of the new experience.

“Each day, we emphasize that this is their opportunity,” Wilson said. “They’re all like Yuki; they know they can play with these guys, because they play with them in junior tournaments and out of high school. I think they’re all excited about being in 4A. Now they can prove to themselves that they can compete.”