Student-Athlete of the Week: Christopher Gunlikson

During his first three seasons as a Niwot varsity golfer, talented left-hander Christopher Gunlikson was one of the league's strongest performers during the regular season, but struggled with consistency when it came to high pressure and postseason tournaments. He wanted his fourth and final season as a Cougar to be different, so he spent last off-season getting "tournament tough" at local and statewide junior golf events, while making a few adjustments to his game here and there.

The ultimate payoff to all of that hard work came on Sept. 21, when Gunlikson sank a crucial putt for par on the 18th hole at the Class 4A region 3 qualifying tournament, guaranteeing Niwot second place in the team standings, and one of the coveted team bids to the upcoming state championships. Gunlikson's putt also delivered a 3-over 74 and second place in the individual standings, his best-ever finish and score at a regional tournament. Looking back a few days later, the senior credited his chipping and driving for the improvement on the scorecard, but was even happier with his decision making when it really counted.

"I played well under pressure," Gunlikson said of his performance. "I'm just trying to stay locked in, and think about the process of every shot. In the years before, I was thinking about my swing, and I was way too mechanical. But now I'm trying to think about the process of the shots."

No one is happier to hear that than Niwot head coach Ed Weaver, who has been urging Gunlikson to do just that since his freshman season. Now that his number-one player has finally been convinced, Weaver said it should translate into a more competitive round at the 2021 state tournament, scheduled for Oct. 5-6 at City Park golf course in Denver.

"He's played at state a couple of times, but he hasn't performed the way he would have liked to. But I think this year he's grown mentally. He's always had the physical swing and the ability. But to get to that next level, a lot of it's just mental."

Gunlikson shares his coach's outlook, after seeing how his change in mentality paid off at regionals. But he is also excited to have some company on this year's trip to state, the fulfillment of a longtime goal.

"It's the first time I've made it as a team with all of my friends," Gunlikson said. "When I made that putt to get us all in, I was just super happy about it."

As a member of what he described as a "golfing family," Gunlikson took up the sport at a young age, but only started taking it seriously once he turned 12. He was also inspired by his older sisters, Grace and Audrey, who had successful high school careers at Skyline. He currently plays the sport on a year-round basis, for at least an hour per day, even if he has to travel or stay in the garage to do it.

"My family and I go on trips, so I get to play in Arizona during the winter, and I also have a net in my garage when it's really cold outside or there's snow on the ground," he said.

When he's not playing or practicing golf, Gunlikson is a senior at Longmont Christian, a small private school he has attended since kindergarten. He counts gym and weightlifting as his favorite classes, and is looking forward to his third year on the varsity basketball team.

"I like that it's smaller, because everyone is basically family there," he said. "That can also be annoying, but I know everyone there, and we're all pretty close."

After graduation in May, Gunlikson is hoping to play golf collegiately, and is talking with several coaches. At the top of his list is the University of Denver, where he would potentially study business.