McCann leading Linn-Mar golfers

Things are going well for Tyler McCann.

So much so that the Linn-Mar senior golfer finds himself atop the individual leaders, entering the third and final round of Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division competition Monday at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

McCann also earned medalist honors for the second round, firing a 68 at Bunker Hill in Dubuque for a two-round score of 135. He holds a razor-thin one-stroke lead over Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Cody Bell. The Lions are in second as a team, 18 shots back of the Cougars and seven ahead of Iowa City High.

"It's quite an accomplishment, especially with good teams as Kennedy and City High," McCann said. "It really means a lot, and if I were to medal again it would be great, especially if you're playing against the top players in the state that Kennedy has."

McCann, also standout tennis player, earned spots among the leaders in some of the Lions more challenging meets. In addition to medalist honors at the first of two divisional meets, McCann shot a 5-under-par 67 in the MVC Super Meet at Twin Pines, which counts as the first of three rounds for conference honors. He also won the Linn-Mar Invitational at Hunters Ridge. McCann tied teammate Kyle Hackett and two others for a fifth-place finish at the CRANDIC meet also at Hunters Ridge.

"I'm just really glad to have a shot and play well lately," McCann said, "and competing in every tournament."

The Lions most consistent player was helped by increasing the number of rounds in the offseason. Devoting the time and working on different technical drills in practice has improved his game, which hovers around a score of 38 per nine holes.

 "I played a lot more this summer," McCann said. "Comparable to the last couple years, we've just practiced more."

Specifically, a better putting game has led to lower scores. McCann credited Linn-Mar head coach Steve Kahler, this year's City Senior Amateur champion, and assistant Bill Hoefle for stronger performance on the green. He has benefited from good up-and-downs also, avoiding dreaded three-putt holes.

"Over the last couple years, I was just awful," McCann said about his putting. "I've really improved. It helped my game a lot."

Routinely, McCann shifted talk to his team. Team goals are important to him, despite golf, in general, being an individual sport. McCann said he tries to play as well as possible to contribute to the team success. He will be key for the 15th-ranked Lions to achieve their biggest goal, which is second state meet berth in the last three years. They have a tough road, including No. 6 Kennedy, No. 7 Cedar Falls, No. 10 Cedar Rapids Xavier and No. 12 Waterloo West in the 13-team field vying for three team spots.

"It would be great if our whole team made it to state," McCann said. "We have probably one of the toughest districts in the state. If we play like we have the last couple meets I think we should be fine."

The Valley Division will also finish its divisional meets Monday, playing the final round at Airport National Golf Course. Xavier holds a 13-shot lead over Cedar Falls. Play is set to start there at 9:30 a.m.