No place like home for Kennedy's Sutton

CEDAR RAPIDS - Davis Sutton feels right at home at Ellis Golf Course.The Cedar Rapids Kennedy junior has played quite a few rounds there.He proved just how comfortable he is at Ellis, firing a 3-under par 69 Monday for medalist honors during the first of two Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division meets. The round was the second of three to determine divisional accomplishments, including last month's MVC Super Meet and a final divisional round Sept. 30.Sutton's performance followed a 4-under 59 for the first round at Airport National, giving him a 7-under 128 total score, which is good for a 13-stroke lead over the field.“It's nice to shoot this well,” Sutton said. “Hopefully, I can shoot it at state, and when it really matters.”

Listen to Sutton talk about being 7-under after two rounds, his eagle on the 12th hole at Ellis and the Cougars quest for another MVC divisional crown and more.Sutton hit the turn at 1-under 35, carding birdies on the par-4 No.2 and par-5 ninth hole. He caught fire at the start of the back nine, which is considered the tougher than the front. Sutton received a major boost with an eagle on the par-5 No. 12.After an estimated 260-yard drive, and a less than ideal second shot with a 3-wood, Sutton sat 50-yards from the hole. He walked up to the hole, tucked behind a roll in the green and switched his shot selection. He drained it.“I hit it right where I was trying to,” said Sutton, noting he was shocked when another golfer informed him it fell. "I didn't even know. I just thought I hit a good shot.”Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden said that was a product of his hard work. Wilden said Sutton practices similar shots, opting to focus on fine-tuning his game over a leisurely practice round."There was no luck," Wilden said. "He prepared for that."It was a part of a three-hole stretch that propelled him to the end that consisted of four straight pars. He made a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 11 and added a 15-foot par putt on the 13th hole.His strengths suit that part of the course."I find I play better on the back here," Sutton said. "I'm more of a straight ball hitter."Sutton said he tried to concentrate on each shot and not worry about the previous or future ones. Wilden praised Sutton's ability to make adjustments during the round. Sutton takes advantage when birdies and eagles are presented."He manages the course well," Sutton said. "He maximizes his opportunities. he did a good job of that."The Cougars dominated the field, finishing 22 shots better than the runner-up Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Conner Koberg shot 77, Cole Murdock added 78 and Ross Grekoff and Tanner Stewart each shot 79. Kennedy didn't even need its lowest score to win by double-digits."We were able to take Davis out of the mix and we can go low," Wilden said. "That's what pleases me."J-Hawks Coach Steve Koepke was pleased with his team's showing as well. Jefferson cut into Dubuque Senior's lead for runner-up honors in the division. Mitch Willems led the J-Hawks with 77. Jake Van Oort and his brother, Adam Van Oort, shot 81 and 83, respectively. Zach Denny and Jake Hansen each had an 84 for Jefferson."Proud of them," Koepke said. "We have some kids with a chance for first-team all-conference honors."Koepke admitted that Kennedy has a strangle hold on another divisional crown, but said the J-Hawks have Senior in their sights for that second-place spot. They trail the Rams by three, going into the final round in Dubuque.Koepke said excitement exists for what the team and individuals can still accomplish."Our goal is to get six points for our school in the all-sports standings. It is still in our wheelhouse," Koepke said of being division runners-up. "We are going to a course that most of the kids have never played. It all depends on the work we put in."

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY CONFERENCE MISSISSIPPI DIVISION MEET

At Ellis Golf Course

(par 72)

Teams - 1. C.R. Kennedy 303, 2. C.R. Jefferson 325, 3. Dubuque Senior 331, 4. Iowa City West 338, 5. Iowa City High 342, 6. Dubuque Hempstead 354, 7. Waterloo East 446.

Individuals - 1. Davis Sutton (CRK) 69, 2. Jakob Kirman (DS), 76, 3. (tie) Mitch Willems (CRJ) and Conner Koberg (CRK), 77, 4. Cole Murdock (CRK), 78.

C.R. Kennedy (303): Sutton 69, Koberg 77, Murdock 78, Ross Grekoff 79, Tanner Stewart 79

C.R. Jefferson (325): Willems 77, Jake Van Oort 81, Adam Van Oort 83, Zach Denny 84, Jake Hansen 84

I.C. West (338): Grant Higgins 81, J.D. Goodfellow 82, Noah Federici 83, Chad Rubin 92

City High (342): Dillon Schiltz 83, Brady Swenning 85, Skyler Franklin 85, Michael Noack 89.

MVC MISSISSIPPI DIVISION LEADERS

(Through two of three rounds)

Teams - 1. C.R. Kennedy 253-303--556, 2. Dubuque Senior 263-331--594, 3. C.R. Jefferson 272-325--597, 4. Iowa City West 272-338--610, 5. Iowa City High 307-342--649, 6. Dubuque Hempstead 297-354--651, 7. Waterloo East 381-446--827.

*Individuals - 1. Davis Sutton (CRK) 59-69--128, 2. Jakob Kirman (DS), 65-76--141, 3. (tie) Conner Koberg (CRK) 66-77--143 and Ross Grekoff (CRK) 64-79--143, 5. (tie) Seth Nutt (CRK) 64-80--144 and Mitch Willems (CRJ) 67-77--144, 7. (tie) Cole Murdock (CRK) 68-78--146 and Jake Van Oort (CRJ) 65-81--146, 9. Tanner Stewart (CRK) 68-79--147, 10. Noah Federici (ICW) 65-83--148, 11. (tie) Adam Van Oort (CRJ) 66-83--149, J.D. Goodfellow (ICW) 67-82--149, Gus Zuccaro (DS) 65-84--149 and Chris Foley (DS) 66-83--149.*-Top six individuals and ties after third round on Sept. 30 earn first-team all-conference honors. The next six golfers and ties earn second-team all-conference honors.