Lions claim state golf meet berth

CEDAR RAPIDS - Linn-Mar Coach Steve Kahler didn't want to discuss results until they were officially posted.

Then the long-time Lions golf coach became all smiles.

The Lions claimed second place, winning a tiebreaker over Ottumwa, at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 4A regional golf meet Monday at Jones Park Golf Course. The runner-up finish earned the Lions first trip to the girls state meet since 1996, according to Kahler.

Cedar Falls dominated the with 323. Linn-Mar and Ottumwa scored a distant 366, but the Lions' Sarah Tegtmeier carded a 100, which was well ahead of her Ottumwa counterpart, and clinched the state berth.

“I'm just so proud of them,” Kahler said. “They've been a team that's steadily improved all season long and then probably played their best 18-hole tournament in the toughest tournament with the most pressure says a lot.”

Kahler said the team had the potential to compete with a couple other teams for the runner-up spot. He emphasized the team had a chance to make its mark and significance reaching a state competition last week, which was supported by the Lions' Rachel Thrune, who played on Linn-Mar's state basketball squad.

“It's really special because it's so difficult to get to state,” Kahler said. “When you make it as a team, that's something you'll be able to brag about and talk about for a long time.”

Thrune's 95 contributed to the second-place tie. Emma Lorenz led the Lions with 44-45-89. Dionna Jensen and Julie Pople were close behind with each scoring 91. The top five golfers were within 11 shots of each other. Balance and depth have been a strength for the Lions, which has had seven players compete in varsity events. Kahler said having all six players capable of scoring for the team eases pressure on everyone and it paid dividends Monday.

“That's the way the girls have been all year,” Kahler said. “Our girls are pretty close to each other. The top four scorers are within like 12 strokes on the year.

“We've had a lot of competition in practice. I think that's really helped us in the meets.”

Top-ranked Cedar Falls claimed four of the top five spots. Allison Rollinger was medalist with 76. Taylor Roberts was second with an 80, while Sonja Przybylski shot 82 for third. Ottumwa's Darby Patritto tied Samantha Heinen of Cedar Falls for fourth, scoring 85.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Megan Furnish was the highest local scorer, finished tied for sixth with 86.

The top two teams and top five individuals, including all fifth-place ties, advance to the 4A state meet May 31 and June 1 at River Valley Golf Course in Adel. The 3A state meet is also at River Valley with the 1A and 2A state tournaments at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny.

Teams - 1. Cedar Falls 323, 2. Linn-Mar 366*, 3. Ottumwa 366, 4. Dubuque Senior 388, 5. Western Dubuque 390, 6. Iowa City High 396, 7. Waterloo West 404, 8. C.R. Jefferson 410, 9. Waverly-Shell Rock 422, 10. C.R. Prairie 430, 11. C.R. Kennedy 441, 12. Dubuque Hempstead498.

*- Linn-Mar wins tiebreaker with best fifth-player score.

State qualifiers -  1. Allison Rollinger (CF), 76, 2. Taylor Roberts (CF), 80, 3. Sonja Przybylski (CF), 82, 4. (tie) Darby Patritto (Ott) and Samantha Heinen (CF), 85.

Linn-Mar (366): Emma Lorenz 89, Dionna Jensen 91, Julie Pople 91, Rachel Thrune 95, Sarah Tegtmeier 100.

City High (396): Elizabeth Wheeler 93, Jordyn Theisen 97, MacKenzie Mertens 99, Katherine Van der Woude 107.

C.R. Jefferson (410): Megan Furnish 86, Emily Aukes 105, Hillary Harriman 109, Leah Groe 110.

C.R. Prairie (430): Jehri Wagner 93, Kerstin Flugum 107, Alyssa Beisker 112, Casie Machula 118.

C.R. Kennedy (441): Ali Lindo 93, Paige Ermer 116, Sadie Schultz 116, Amanda Wiedemeier 116.

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