One last road trip to first state meet for Xavier

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Xavier's girls golf team earned one more road trip.

The Saints will get to pile into the school van for a few hours of customary joking, singing, loud music and story sharing, but this trek has more cause for celebration.

Xavier will make its first appearance at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 4A state tournament Tuesday at River Valley Golf Course in Adel. The Class 3A state meet is also in Adel, while the 1A and 2A meets are at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny.

The memorable event will start with the regular team bonding.

“Road trips are something else,” Xavier Coach Julie Kadlec said with a laugh. “Just the camaraderie and joking around ... It solidifies the team. It makes them want to be there for each other.”

Unity helped the Saints secure their first state berth and post a 58-8 season record, placing second to top-ranked Cedar Falls in the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division. They have prospered with solid depth.

“The biggest strength was six girls that would all be able to score in the top four when they needed,” Kadlec said. “I was never like Nos. five and six thought they were out of the mix at all. To be able to pop in there and score when they needed to was a big advantage.”

It paid dividends at the regional meet May 23 in Pleasant Valley when the Saints' depth allowed them to place second and snag the final team berth. The team was on pins and needles, waiting for the final score to be posted by Iowa City West, which finished third.

“It was like really emotional,” senior Kimmy Askelson said. “For (Coach Kadlec) it was her first time since 1984 when the Regis team went. For me, it's just how I wanted to end my season.”

“We know how much it means to her,” Xavier freshman Maddie Bertsch said. “It's nice for all of us to make it there.”

The feat was a team effort. Balance eases the pressure on the golfers. If someone has a bad round, a teammate is ready to card a usable score.

“If I'm not playing on my ‘A' game,” Bertsch said, “I know my team can pick up the slack for me. Even our sixth player can score well.”

Xavier also benefits from having one of the top golfers in the state. Askelson has been the leading force for the Saints, following her fourth-place state finish last season. Her normal low scores provide an edge for the Saints.

“She's tried to provide the cushion for the team, scoring so much lower,” Kadlec said. “We've always had that going for us this year.”

Askelson's impact extends beyond birdies, scores and medals. The lone senior on the team has been a leader for most of the last two seasons. She leads in both words and actions.

“She gives us advice before a round,” Winker said. “She tells us we can do it and she guides us.

“She's been a good leader for my freshman year.”

Kadlec said many have contributed to the team's success, noting the efforts of Bertsch, Winker and sophomore Lisa Olberding at the regional meet.

Although the season goal was to reach state, some uncertainty existed at the start of the season for the team dominated by underclassmen. Expectations grew as the season progressed.

“It was kind of a surprise,” Askelson said about the team's potential to qualify for state. “Once the season got going and we started to get firsts and a few second-place finishes I knew that we could do it.”

Now, the bar has been raised for the program. The young players will be striving to match the success of the 2011 team.

“It sets expectations for the years to come and when I will be a senior,” Winker said. “I think we can improve and step up.”

There was no doubt about Askelson's ability to return to the state meet and try to improve on last year's accomplishment. She is one of 4A's top players, claiming MVC Valley Division Athlete of the Year honors and MVC's Super Meet medalist.

“Her sights are set at the top and rightfully so,” Kadlec said. “She's proven that she can compete with the best of them.”

Askelson, who signed to play golf at Drake University next year, became the first Saints golfer to play at the girls state meet. She wants to make a run at bringing home Xavier's first state individual crown.

“I just want to finish strong, that's for sure," Askelson said. "If I shoot good scores and I don't win it I'll still be happy, but at the same time that's the goal. I want to win it.”

Kadlec said she still remembers the experience and the feelings that surrounded the competition. The current team has more depth and could have a better opportunity to finish strong, according to Kadlec.

“It was really exciting," Kadlec said. "I'm hoping the girls are focused and we can do well.”