WyoPreps Spotlight: Lander Senior Jaren Calkins [AUDIO]

Having been one of the top golfers in the state over the past three years, Lander Valley senior Jaren Calkins is looking to go out on top in 2020.

Calkins won the Class 3A State Championship in 2017 and again last year, in 2019. He entered his senior season off a win at the Wyoming State Amateur Championship back in late June at the Riverton Country Club, plus an appearance in early August at the 2020 High School Golf National Invitational in Pine Hurst, NC.

The senior visited a couple of weeks ago with WyoPreps’ David Settle by phone about his career, how it’s a different for his senior year, his approach in the 2020 high school season, playing with some of the best in the state in Class 3A, and more. WyoPreps also talked with Lander golf coach Mike Watson about Jaren, what the focus has been with Calkins golf game, and more. Listen to those interviews in the video at the top of this story.

Calkins is second in the state in stroke average in 2020 at 71. He has shot the lowest round with a 65, which came at the Park County Shootout in Cody early in the season. Jaren just won the 3A West Conference Championship last Friday in Powell by three shots. Now, he’s getting ready to defend his title at the 3A State Golf Championships this weekend.

The video below, courtesy of Coach Watson, is of Jaren sinking the winning putt at the Wyoming State Amateur Championship back in late June.

The 3A State Golf Championships will be on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18 and 19 in Evanston at Purple Sage Golf Course. Originally, Lander was scheduled to host the 3A Championships but the tournament was moved out of Fremont County due to concerns with COVID-19. That decision was made back in early June.