1 THE MORE THINGS CHANGE ...

The western suburbs have a nice little thing going in boys' high school golf. Orono won its third consecutiveClass 2A title last spring, while Wayzata made it two in a row in 3A at Bunker Hills. And when you look at what each has coming back, it's hard to argue we won't see more of the same in a couple of months.

Wayzata continues to churn out talent. The Trojans likely will have only one senior, Tyler Lowenstein, among their tournament players. The future Gopher shot a 4-under-par 68 on the first day of state last spring, helping Wayzata to a 12-shot cushion.

Speaking of the Gophers, Lowenstein will be joined next fall by Orono's Patrick Johnston. He and classmates Miles Knutsen and Brian Urness all finished among the top 10 individually in last year's abbreviated Class 2A state tournament.

2 UP-AND-COMERS

Get used to hearing some of the same names for a while in Class 3A girls. Freshmen McKenzie Neisen (New Prague, runner-up), Sarah Burnham (Wayzata, sixth) and Sierra Langlie (Andover, 12th) all burst onto the scene as eighth-graders with rounds in the 70s at state.

3 END OF AN ERA?

In Class 2A girls, Minnewaska's five-year stranglehold on the competition is loosening.

The Lakers graduated co-medalists Sarah Roering and Allie Ostrander, and while plenty of talent remains, a six-peat is far from a lock.

Red Wing, which has finished runner-up three consecutive years, returns three golfers -- Danielle Brooks, Katie Kesti and Marisa Toivonen -- who finished in the top eight individually. The Wingers also have a solid fourth, Ashley Brooks, who has competed on all three runner-up teams.

4 THEY'RE BACK

Frazee's Beau Hanson (Class 1A boys), St. Cloud Tech's Charlie Braniff (3A boys) and Osakis' Kelsey Ross (1A girls) return to defend their individual titles.

BRIAN STENSAAS

10 BOYS TO WATCH

• McCabe Buege, Rogers

• Nate Carlson, Edina

• John DuToit, Chaska

• Chase Hahne, Elk River

• Mitch Holm, Prior Lake

• Patrick Johnston, Orono

• Max Kelly, Forest Lake

• Tyler Lowenstein, Wayzata

• Sam Mathew, Roseville

• Max Tylke, Eastview

10 GIRLS TO WATCH

• Danielle Brooks, Red Wing

• Sara Burnham, Wayzata

• Cassie Deeg, Stillwater

• Grace Gilmore, Edina

• Sierra Langlie, Andover

• Ann Laorr, Breck

• Ashley Money, Maple Grove

• McKenzie Neisen, New Prague

• Mary Sweeney, Woodbury

• Grace Todora, Cretin-Derham Hall