Kennedy posts top-four state finish

IOWA CITY - The seniors on the Cedar Rapids Kennedy golf team have had a good run, even if it didn't end the way they wanted.

The Cougars had title aspirations, but settled for a fourth-place finish, powered by a senior-dominated lineup Saturday at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 4A state meet at Finkbine Golf Course. West Des Moines Valley claimed the team title with a two-round total of 607, and the Tigers duo of Jeff Swegle and Tomas Gouveia, who were medalist and runner-up.

Kennedy shot 315 Saturday, recording a team total 634. Cody Bell led the Cougars, tying for sixth individually with a 154 total. The first-round deficit was a little too much to overcome, but maintained its place in the standings, just like each of the top four teams.

“We would have had to go super low,” Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden said. “We just didn't have that today.

“I'm still proud of these guys. We've had four great years.”

Wilden appeared to get emotional when discussing the seniors who competed, including Bell, Brigham Stewart, Mitch Martin, Jake Wilding and Tyler Kalina. They have helped the Cougars place in the top four at state in each of their four years in the program. He said he will miss the entire class.

“It's a really good group,” Wilden said. “We've had a lot of championships a lot of good times, a lot of wins and very few losses, so we hope to keep that going.

“It's going to be tough. They're going to be a tough act to follow.”

Bell, who competed all four years at state, earned his second straight top six state meet finish, shooting 75 and improving Friday's score by four. Bell, who placed fourth last year, started out strong, carding birdies on his first three holes. He also played 1-under the final three holes.

“It's an honor,” said Bell, noting he thought he could have played better. “It's a great feeling to finish your senior year with a top six finish."

Harrison Moore added a 78 for the Cougars, tying for 18th with a two-round total of 159. Moore was the lone junior in Kennedy's state lineup.

“The good news is Harrison's going to be back,” Wilden said. “He showed some good things and we expect some good things in the future out of Harrison.”

Stewart added an 80 and Wilding posted an 82 Saturday. The Cougars didn't fire their normal low rounds, which was needed after trailing Valley by 10 to start the day.

“I felt like we definitely tried to make some shots that weren't really obtainable,” Bell said. “We didn't play smart. We played aggressive.”

Cedar Rapids Xavier senior J.P. King was tied for eighth to start the day. He ended in a six-way tie for 22nd with 160 in his first state appearance. King was consistent, avoiding anything more than a bogey for 34 of the 36 holes played.

King was happy with his performance and how he managed the course. He was able to accomplish his main goal, which was to cap his prep career at state.

"It was a blast," said King, who plans to golf in college. "Just the atmosphere and competing against the best golfers in the state was a lot of fun and a good challenge."

Iowa City High made its second straight state meet appearance. The Little Hawks finished with a 653, shooting 330 in the second round. Junior Grant Simpson tied for 22nd with a 79-81-160.

Linn-Mar placed one spot behind City High with 660. The Lions, making their second state meet appearance in three years, shot 326, improving their first-round score by eight strokes. Senior Trevor Berry carded a birdie on the par-5 15th hole to shoot 81 for a  160 total and tie for 22nd.

See the complete indidividual and team standings at the

2011 Class 4A state golf meet results page of IHSAA.