Iowa high school fall golf 2021: Gazette area teams to watch

Here is a list of Gazette area teams to keep an eye on during the 2021 Class 4A high school fall golf season.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson

The J-Hawks are not the best team on the list. They probably won’t win their division either. Jefferson is a team that could be vastly improved with a chance to have one of its best seasons in a long time. Four golfers earned all-division recognition last season and each returns. Adam Panoch finished on the second-team Valley, while Logan Miller, Logan and Landon Augustine earned honorable mention honors.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy

The Cougars nearly captured the MVC Valley title last season, winning the first of two divisional meets. Kennedy has five all-MVC performers back, including state qualifier Reid Hall. Gannon Hall, Carter Vander Zee, Brady Shea and Simeon Jauiainen finished in the top 14 of the division. A.J. Corkery gives them another experienced player. The Cougars have the talent and depth to contend for a division crown and state appearance.

Cedar Rapids Prairie

The Hawks made their second state-tournament trip last season. Prairie has some young talent, including sophomore Tanner Wachtl. Payton Burns also contributed to last year’s state squad and is a strong second scorer. Nick Schaff is the only returner to card a varsity round. Prairie needs to develop a couple more players to complete team scores for a shot at back-to-back state berths for the first time.

Cedar Rapids Xavier

The Saints have a chance for a pretty special feat. They are vying for a fifth consecutive state-meet appearance. Xavier returns four starters from last season’s team that tied for eighth at state and won the MVC Valley by just four strokes. Charlie Allen and Ryan Schmit lead the way with Quincey Johnson and Garrett Nurre rounding out the solid nucleus. The Saints have talent and numbers to fill the final two lineup spots.

Western Dubuque

The Bobcats have two all-conference players back. Davis Stelzer is one of the state’s top players. He will be the leader and anchor for this year’s team. Jackson Webber was a second-team performer to give them two who can score low. Western Dubuque will have to fill its lineup from returning letterwinners Brayden Staner, Nolan Vaske and Jackson Skrtich and a trio of talented freshmen. The Bobcats have the potential for team success.