Xavier golfers win MVC Valley

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Xavier's boys golf team posed for a photo after its latest triumph.

The title picture, however, started to come into focus long before Tuesday.

A day after rain postponed the final round of the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division meet, the Saints maintained its lead and claimed its first MVC divisional championship at Airport National Golf Course. Xavier shot 269 for a three-round total of 861, beating Cedar Falls by 13 strokes.

“I'm really excited about it,” senior Jason Beer said. “We knew that we could probably get to this point, so it's just nice that it's finally here and it was something we could accomplish as a team.”

Beer and senior teammate J.P. King were on a team as sophomores that contended for a divisional title, but came up short. Even at that time, Beer said he and King were confident they could help capture a future championship with the right pieces in place. They came together this fall.

“We knew that we could probably lead in the future and hopefully pick up a few guys that could also play well,” said Beer, noting the team's potential really took shape during summer competition. “Luckily, we found a few sophomores that came in when we needed them and always seemed to be there when it was important.”

One of those sophomores was Matt Junge, who shot 3-over par 66. He finished with a 200 to place fifth overall, joining runner-up Beer, who tallied a total of 212, and King, who was fourth with 217, on first-team all-conference. During a round when a stiff wind affected play, consistent play was key for Junge, who is playing his first season in the varsity lineup.

“It was tough to manage on some holes,” Junge said. “There weren't a lot of birdies out there, but the pars allowed me to hang in (contention).”

The Saints entered the meet with a 13-stroke lead and held it after the final 18 holes. None of the top Saints lost ground in the individual ranks. Xavier was propelled by a strong second-round performance at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo two weeks ago. The Saints took the lead and never surrendered it.

“We were really excited after the second (round) because that was the first meet we all played up to our potential,” Beer said. “I think it really helped us coming into today, because we knew we didn't really have to do anything special. We just had to play our game.”

Rob Thinnes matched Junge's 66 to help lead Xavier.

“I was pleased with their performance,” said Xavier Coach Tim O'Brien, who was named MVC Valley Coach of the Year. “I'm extremely pleased with what they accomplished today.”

Five of the Saints earned all-conference accolades, including Ben Sagers and Thinnes. They each posted a three-round total of 221 for second-team honors. O'Brien said it is the most in his five years at Xavier.

“I couldn't be happier,” O'Brien said. “It's something the kids in the program have been working toward since I've been here.

"I'm smiling on the inside and outside both.”

Dubuque Hempstead's Carson Hillery notched medalist honors to be the MVC Valley Athlete of the Year. The Mustangs were third with 886.

CedarRapids Jefferson was fourth with 905. The J-Hawks Zach Denny was sixth with a 220 total, earning first-team all-conference honors.

Cedar Rapids Prairie hosted the meet and actually posted the top score from Tuesday's round. The Hawks shot 267, two shots ahead of both Xavier and Cedar Falls. Prairie's Mitch Wagner and Matt Edl both shot 64, tying Jon Skarlis of Cedar Falls with the best third-round score.

Final team standings - 1. C.R. Xavier 861, 2. Cedar Falls 874, 3. Dubuque Hempstead 886, 4. C.R. Jefferson 905, 5. C.R. Prairie 913, 6. Iowa City West 935, 7. Waterloo East 1,103.

Final individuals - 1. Carson Hillery (DH), 210, 2. Jason Beer (CRX), 212, 3. Jacob Bermel (CF), 214, 4. J.P. King (CRX), 217, 5. Matt Junge (CRX), 220, 6. Zach Denny (CRJ), 220.

Third round results - 1. C.R. Prairie 267, 2. (tie) C.R. Xavier and Cedar Falls 269, 4. C.R. Jefferson 272, 5. Dubuque Hempstead 277, 6. Iowa City West 280, 7. Waterloo East 339.

Third round individuals - 1. (tie) Mitch Wagner (CRP), Matt Edl (CRP) and Jon Skarlis (CF), 64, 4. (tie) Junge (CRX), Rob Thinnes (CRX) and Denny (CRJ), 66.

Carson Hillery, sr., Dubuque Hempstead; Jason Beer, sr., C.R. Xavier; Jacob Bermel, sr., Cedar Falls; J.P. King, sr., C.R. Xavier; Matt Junge, so., C.R. Xavier; Zach Denny, so., C.R. Jefferson.

Athlete of the year - Hillery, Dubuque Hempstead; Coach of the year - Tim O'Brien, C.R. Xavier.

Wil Hunemuller, sr., Cedar Falls; Ben Sagers, so., C.R. Xavier; Rob Thinnes, jr., C.R. Xavier; Jared Deines, so., Cedar Falls; Brad Miehe, sr., Dubuque Hempstead; Shawn Breitbach, sr., Dubuque Hempstead.