Team Spirit: Teammates enhance enjoyment for athlete

June 19, 2017

For The Tribune

Skyler Stahl was a multi-sport athlete at Trinity Lutheran, and he credits his teammates for making athletics enjoyable.

He played golf and basketball both for four years and soccer, cross-country and football one year each.

This spring Stahl played No. 4 for the Cougars golfers.

“I’d say there’s less pressure at the four spot, but really for our team we had players that are capable of shooting good scores every night, so that really takes pressure off everyone in the spots,” Stahl said. “Whoever is playing No. 1, the next four players came come in and put up a score just as good as them so that really takes away from ‘I’ve got to shoot a good score tonight.’ ‘’

Stahl said he enjoyed playing home matches at Shadowood Golf Course in Seymour.

“Shadowood is a great course, it’s well-maintained,” Stahl said. “It’s really fun to play. You can play it every day and you won’t get tired of it. I like the front nine better, but I think the back nine is more challenging because there is a lot of trouble you can get into.”

On the links, Stahl utilized his putts to drop scores.

“I’m good off the tee, but the strength of my game is more short game,” Stahl said. “That’s what I’ve always been taught to focus on because that’s where you’re going to get your strokes back. My short game is what I try to focus on. I try to get my drives in good position and close it out with my short game.”

His low score for 9 holes was 38 at Hickory Hills, and his low tournament score was 85 at Rising Star.

Stahl said you have to be able to make adjustments hole-by-hole in order to shoot low scores.

“Some holes you can be more aggressive and some holes you have to be more conservative because of the trouble,” he said. “Playing (Shadowood) every day and coming out and practicing helps a lot because you get a feel of what you can do here on this hole and you just kind of know what you can do with the hole and you just try to do it the best that you can and hope it turns out all right.

“We practiced every day, and it really helps you because you get focused-in. My dad and both of my brothers have all played golf so we like to play and it’s just kind of been my family wants me to do well, and I go out and play with them and it helps a lot.”

Stahl began his basketball and golf careers in Brownstown.

The recent grad said he liked to play against zone defenses in basketball.

“I liked to find gaps and get into the defense and try to make open shots for my teammates,” Stahl said. “The thing about all my teammates is they were very sharing and wanted me to excel as a player, and not just them. They cared about the team.”

Stahl, who received the Cougar Award in basketball this past season, had high-point games of six against South Decatur and Cristal House.

He said he enjoyed all of the home games.

“The Bollinger Athletic Complex is a really fun place to play,” Stahl said. “Everyone really cared about the program, and they want to see you succeed, and everyone is very energetic during the games.”

He said he enjoyed being a student at Trinity Lutheran High School.

“I feel Trinity has prepared me well for my life and taught me many things that I can look back on and be glad I made the decision to come here,” Stahl said. “All my friends played and that is one of the main reasons all the sports have been so fun.”

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Name: Skyler Stahl

School: Trinity Lutheran

Parents; Bruce and Mendy Stahl

Siblings: Nick, Chandler

Sports: golf 4 years, basketball 4 years, football 1 year, cross-country 1 year, soccer 1 year

Athletic highlights: golf- team school records for 9, 18 holes; basketball- Cougar Award

Organizations: National Honor Society, student ambassador, FFA, 4H, St. Peter’s Youth Group

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