ILWACO – In 1805 William Clark exclaimed, “Ocian in view! O, the joy.” In the fall of 2007 Ilwaco golf coach, Dan Whealdon, is hopeful that by spring 2008 he will be able to shout, “State title in view! O, the joy” as well. His Fishermen boys’ squad just might have the firepower to knock off Charles Wright Academy, last season’s defending champs and stave off any other private school challengers for the state 1A title that will be decided May 20 and 21, 2008.

Last season Ilwaco finished fourth in the state for the second consecutive year and won the District IV crown going away. Jack Whealdon, a junior, was district medalist as a sophomore and was one stroke off the pace of tying for the individual state title. He has done exceptional work over the summer and is poised to repeat as district winner and make up that one stroke and more at state.

His most serious contenders may be wearing the same colors as Whealdon and facing him every day in practice. The Fishermen team is that talented and that deep. Junior Todd Oakes, finished 19th at state after coming in fourth at district, and the lefty has had a solid summer of competition. Tyler Johnson, a junior, was seventh at district and Tanner Bonawitz, a sophomore, was 12th and both received invitations to state, but missed the final cut last spring while gaining valuable experience.

Then there are the incoming freshmen. As if the four veterans and sophomore returnee Jared Wanke didn’t form a solid enough nucleus, four freshmen may push the upperclassmen from the opening practice to the state finals. Both Ross Kukula and Patrick Whealdon are lefties, both are tournament-tested at the junior golf level, and both played extremely well over the summer. coach Whealdon predicted, “Both Ross and Patrick could make an immediate impact on our team’s performance.”

David and Matthew Lewis are also freshmen with big “upsides” in the golfing ranks. “David and Matt are very good players, are sound fundamentally and have excellent skills,” Whealdon praised. Their sister Kylie Lewis has been to two state golf tourney’s and their dad is the varsity girls’ golf coach at IHS.

And for good measure and a big dose of inspiration, senior Casey Marsh returns after a two-year rehabilitation assignment following an auto accident while on his way to practice his sophomore year. “Casey has practiced all summer and we’re excited to have him back,” Whealdon said. Marsh is also expected to be in the running for one of the top six team slots at district.

“This is on paper the strongest golf team we’ve had at Ilwaco since I’ve been coach. Most of the guys are tournament-savvy, they know how to handle themselves under pressure, and they work hard to improve in the areas where they are weak.”

Opponents in Southwest Washington will be hard-pressed to find many weaknesses in this Fishermen crew’s golf game. It may take a private school such as Wright to test them at the state level. With six players going to district and 10 berths available for state, it is quite possible that Ilwaco will have at least half of the invitations to the big dance in their golf bags following district play in mid-November.

The regular season and district play is held in the fall for the boys and in the spring for the girls, with state being in the spring for both. The Fishermen’s schedule is loaded with 3A and 4A powers as Whealdon and company figure, “To be the best, you need to compete with the best.”

Over 200 years ago that formula worked for the Corps of Discovery as they had a tricky Columbia River to deal with and Ilwaco is hoping it will work on the links, as well, as they are trying to snap a five-year strangle hold by private schools on the state 1A title.