North Cedar adds sectional title to season accomplishments (video)

MONTICELLO - One big goal. One step closer.The North Cedar boys' golf team has had the state tournament in its sights since the first practice of the season. The Knights are a good round away from accomplishing that goal.North Cedar claimed the Class 2A sectional team title Friday at Monticello Golf Club, advancing to district competition next Friday with a state berth within reach. The Knights used a balanced performance to post a 314, beating host Monticello by six shots.The Knights were led by Kyle Jackson and Jordan Hay, who each carded 77. John Fisher and Andrew Fields added a 78 and 82, respectively. North Cedar's Nos. 1 and 4 golfers didn't score, but the demonstration of depth has been indicative of their season."I'm really happy about it," Jackson said after winning a playoff for third against his teammate. "Usually, if somebody's doing bad we have another person on our team that can pick him up. That's what gets us our good scores, and we win by doing that."The Knights have plenty of wins, improving to 69-4 this season. They need to top six more teams next Friday to grab one fo the two state berths. North Cedar Coach Todd Cox shared his expectations at the start of the season. The team accepted the challenge, and cleared one obstacle. They know work remains."Coach wants us to do good and get to state this year because we haven't been able to do that in I don't know how long," Jackson said. "We just have to have some good rounds to get there."It takes a lot of (weight) off our shoulders, but we still have to get back at it and play a good round."The Cedar Valley Conference champions carded eight total birdies with Hay and Jackson had three apiece, including birdies on two par-5 holes. They pair had nearly identical rounds with Jackson going out with 39 and coming in with 38, while Hay was  out with 38 followed by 39. Jackson won a playoff on the second hole to finish third, one spot ahead of Hay. Fisher also carded a birdie.The field had to manage the course and a strong wind. Hitting into it made holes tricky and strong short games necessary."Good putting," Jackson said about the key to a good score, "and good second shots."Jackson's performance gave him bragging rights and some priveleges with his teammates. The team's competitiveness isn't limited to their opponents. The Knight who posts the best score gets to pick who carries his clubs (Jackson planned to pick Fields) and the worst scores have to clean the van or sit in front with the coach on the ride home. Dedication combined with fun has led to success."I think it's the work ethic that made them successful. They all golf a lot," Cox said. "And, they have a unique and funny chemistry."Jackson shares who will be carrying his bagIt was a total team effort with No. 6 golfer Fields contributing to the team score and the Knights not needing scores from first-team all-conference golfers Charlie Cox and Nick Fisher."They came through today," Cox said. "I'm really proud of them."Monticello also advanced, powered by Chance Manternach's 75. Manternach tied Bellevue's Riley Till for the lowest round at the sectional. Manternach earned runner-up medalist honors after Till won a playoff on the second hole. The Panthers received a 79 from Sam Boyd, 82 from Isaac Wolf and 84 from Tim Norton.Till's 75 led Bellevue, which scored 339 and also advanced to the district meet hosted by Iowa City Regina next Friday at Geneva Golf and Country Club in Muscatine. Other teams that will contend at the district include Columbus Junction, Central Lee, West Burlington Notre Dame and Albia.

CLASS 2A SECTIONAL

At Monticello

(Monticello Golf Club, par 72)

Teams - 1. North Cedar 314*, 2. Monticello 320*, 3. Bellevue 339*, 4. Cascade 342, 5. Tipton 346, 6. Camanche 374, 7. North-Linn 385, 8. Northeast 395.

District qualifiers - 1. Riley Till (Bell), 75**, 2. Chase Manternach (Mont), 40-35-75, 3. Kyle Jackson (NC), 39-38-77**, 4. Jordan Hay (NC), 38-39-77.* - District qualifying teams** - Won playoff.