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All that success, including a state team championship in 2012, has come in WIAA Division 2 competition.

This year, with the WIAA competitive balance equation, the Crimson Tide is moving up in class. The regulation, which is in effect in all sports, moves schools up or down a class due to their success or lack of it, during the previous three years.

The regulation was devised mainly because some smaller-enrolled private schools were dominant in some sports. So instead of going up against schools such as Lakeland, Winneconne and Amery, the Crimson Tide will be putting their golf bags down alongside those of Waunakee, Marquette University High School and Eau Claire Memorial the next two days.

The Crimson Tide are the first team to be moved into Division 1 by the competitive balance regulation.

There is no change in the coaching formula that has resulted in EdgertonÃÛèÖÊÓƵ continued success.

The coaching tandem of Mike Dickinson and assistant Mike Schmidt isn’t going anywhere.

Dickinson has mixed emotions about the move to Division 1.

“We play Division 1 schools in our tournaments throughout the year,â€� said Dickinson, who guided Edgerton to the 2012 WIAA state title. “Probably the past six, seven, eight years. We’ve competed against Division 1, so itÃÛèÖÊÓƵ not like we’re in awe of them.

“We’ve beaten Waunakee, Verona and DeForest, teams from around here,� said Dickinson, who retired from the postal service. “We played Marquette (University HS) in a tournament, and they shot 595, and we shot 604.�

But Dickinson doesn’t think just because Edgerton, with a WIAA-listed enrollment of 551 should be competing at the state level with schools like Middleton (2,388), Madison West (2,193) and Bay Port (1,952) just because they have had success.

“Even a school like Middleton, which is a public school, can draw from the whole area of Cross Plains and west Madison,� Dickinson said. “Better players can go to a better program like that.

“We’re pulling our players from kids who started here in kindergarten.�

But Edgerton can compete because only four scores count and two Crimson Tide golfers can play with anyone at University Ridge.

Senior Caleb Kern and junior Owen Wagie are both considered among the top players in the state.

Dickinson has been the head golf coach for 13 seasons. Mike Schmidt, the assistant girls basketball coach for his daughter, Kellen, at Janesville Craig High, has been DickinsonÃÛèÖÊÓƵ long-time assistant in the spring.

“We work well together,� Dickinson said.

The head coach can’t tell you why the town of 6,000 has annually produced successful boys golf teams.

“The obvious answer might be the success of Steve Stricker,� Dickinson said.

Stricker grew up a long wedge shot from EdgertonÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Towne Country Club. The pro golferÃÛèÖÊÓƵ mother, Caroline, still lives in the family house. Stricker is a familiar presence in the community and still plays Towne Country a few times each year. Dickinson said Stricker will stop, talk and shake hands with the team if he sees them practicing.

“The kids see him on TV, and they think golf can be a cool thing,� Dickinson said. “Years ago, Edgerton was a big baseball town, and it still is.

“But golf has become more popular,� the head coach said. “I had 18 kids out this year, which is the most I’ve ever had.�

Dickinson and Schmidt can count on being pleasantly surprised when the first day of golf practice rolls around each spring, as their six straight junior varsity conference titles show.

“People complain about the water here in Edgerton,� Dickinson quipped. “But the good players keep coming.�

Kern, Wagie lead the team

Kern and Wagie have led the Crimson Tide to University Ridge this season.

Kern, a 6-foot-4 senior, was the regional medalist at Edgewood Golf Course in Big Bend shooting a 71. Wagie, a junior, tied for second with Milton High sophomore Kade Wieland with 72.

Wagie was the sectiotnal medalist at Rivermoor Golf Course in Waterford with a 69. Kern tied for third with a 74.

Kern is a four-time state meet qualifier and a defending WIAA state champion. The NCAA Division 1 South Dakota State recruit is listed as one of the favorites to win the D1 individual title by Rob Hernandez of Wisconsin.Golf.

Wagie has made it to state his first three seasons.

Kern was a first-team Golf Coaches Association all-state selection last year after defeating Edgerton teammate Cameron Lee on the second playoff hole for the Division 2 individual title. Wagie earned third-team honors.

The two usually are inseparable on the score sheets. That is not the case off the course.

“Caleb and Owen are direct opposites,� Dickinson said. “You can’t get a word out of Owen. Caleb never stops talking.

“Owen is a great kid, but heÃÛèÖÊÓƵ just quiet.â€�

Kern is not afraid to take a challenging shot, such as hitting a fairway shot underneath an overhanging tree limb or a difficult fade or hook.

“To his credit, 90% of the time he accomplishes that,â€� Dickinson said. “But the 10% of the time he doesn’t, heÃÛèÖÊÓƵ off the fairway or into the woods.

“Risk/reward definitely comes into play in Caleb KernÃÛèÖÊÓƵ game,â€� the head coach said.

Kern turned those risks into a state title last season at Blackwolf Run near Kohler. He became the fifth Edgerton golfer to accomplish that feat, which is another indication of the programÃÛèÖÊÓƵ success.

Wagie wants to duplicate his older teammateÃÛèÖÊÓƵ state accomplishment. His constant presence on the practice range demonstrates that.

“You can’t say ‘really’ enough times, but he really wants to be perfect,â€� Dickinson said. “He’ll hit a shot to the middle of the green, and he’ll be upset about it because heÃÛèÖÊÓƵ too far away from the pin.

“But he won’t dwell on it, which is a good thing.�

Senior Drew Gunderson, junior Mitchell Coombs and sophomores Owen Scharlau and Charles Johnson round out the Edgerton team that won the Rock Valley Conference, regional and sectional titles en route to University Ridge.

Among the 18 golfers that were out this season were five freshmen. With Wagie and Coombs returning as seniors and Scharlau and Johnson as juniors, Dickinson and Schmidt have the nucleus for success in the coming years.

Even if that will have to be at the Division 1 level, where Marquette is considered the favorite.

“We’re not afraid of the big schools,� Dickinson said.

Wieland also in the hunt

MiltonÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Wieland tied Kern for third place at the sectional and leads the Red Hawks into the Division 1 team competition.

Joining Wieland are seniors Liam Taylor and Miles Johnson, sophomore Tyler Birkhimer and freshman Chris Tilton. Coach Kirk WielandÃÛèÖÊÓƵ squad finished sixth in the state tournament last season.

This is the fourth Milton team to make it to the state tournament.

Evansville High senior Klyne Johnson is an individual qualifier in the Division 2 competition.

2025 WIAA STATE BOYS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

What: The 99th Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys Golf Championships.

When: Monday and Tuesday.

Where: University Ridge, Verona.

Spectator note: Spectators attending the 2025 WIAA state boys championships must buy an online ticket in advance. Tickets are $9 per person per day (plus fees) and available through GoFan, the WIAAÃÛèÖÊÓƵ online ticketing partner.

Tournament facts: Competition will be in three divisions with two 18-hole rounds, weather permitting. Play starts at 7 a.m. Monday in Division 1 and at noon in Divisions 2 and 3. The second round begins at 7 a.m. Tuesday in Divisions 2 and 3 and at noon for Division 1. Division 1 competition features 16 teams and 24 individual qualifiers. Divisions 2 and 3 have eight teams and 12 individuals each.

Area qualifiers: Division 1 teams: Edgerton: Caleb Kern, sr., Owen Wagie, jr., Drew Gunderson, sr., Owen Scharlau, soph., Charlie Johnson, soph., Mitchell Coombs, jr. Coach: Terry Dickinson. Milton: Liam Taylor, sr., Chris Tilton, frosh., Tyler Birkhimer, soph., Kade Wieland, soph., Miles Johnson, sr. Coach: Kirk Wieland.

Division 2 individual: Evansville, Klyne Johnson, sr. Coach: Andy Tomlin.