BROOKINGS — Watertown High School’s two-time state Class AA champion golfer Jake Olson isn’t going to far to continue playing the sport.
Olson is one of two high school seniors who have signed to play men’s college golf at NCAA Division I South Dakota State University, some 45 miles south in Brookings. Jack Randall of Free State High School in Lawrence (Kan.) also has signed to play with SDSU.
“This 2024 class is very exciting for SDSU men’s golf as we believe it might be the best recruiting class we have signed,” SDSU men’s golf coach Parker Edens said. “Jake and Jack will come in and make an impact right away. Both players are highly talented and will fit in well with our competitive culture. We are looking forward to the future here in Brookings.”
An strong argument could be made that Olson, who joined John Ruhe (1929-30) and George Andree (1949-50) as Watertown’s only two-time state champion golfers, might be the best golfer in the history of Watertown High School’s program.
The 6-foot-2 Olson brings a number of accolades from the high school and junior competition levels. He also finished as the state Class AA runner-up as a junior in 2022 and helped lead the Arrows to their first state championship since 1971 last month.
He has been named the South Dakota Junior Golfer of the Year three times (2021, 2022, 2023) and won the South Dakota Golf Association junior championship in 2021 and 2023. Olson won the Sanford Futures tournament in 2023. Olson recorded 19 varsity tournament victories in his high school career (2019-2023), including three Eastern South Dakota Conference titles. The Arrows also won three ESD team championships.
More: Senior standout Jake Olson tops individuals, carries Arrows to first team title since 1971
Olson, the son of Doug and Amber Olson of Watertown, plans to pursue a degree in preparation for medical school.
“I have been tracking and following Jake since I got to SDSU. His junior golf career has landed him as a top 100 recruit in the 2024 class,” said Eden.
“Jake is the highest ranked player we have ever signed and we are excited to see what he brings to Brookings in the next four years.”
More: Red-hot Arrows take home invitational for sixth-straight win, with only ESD and state left
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Watertown High School standout golfer Jake Olson to play for Jackrabbits
