Morgan Rupp, Linn-Mar win first MVC Valley girls’ golf divisional

Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp witnessed most of her golf game come together.

She was solid off the tee and her putting was efficient.

It was enough for Rupp to garner medalist honors at the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division girls’ golf meet Monday at Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Iowa City. Rupp fired an even-par 72 to win the individual competition and help the Lions win the team race with 321.

“My putting was probably the most notable,” Rupp said. “I was making a lot of putts. I only had 30 putts for the entire 18 holes.

“I also feel my driver was pretty good. I’d get up to it and I’d have a lot of confidence that I was going to hit it well. I think that confidence just really helps when you’re trying to play.”

Rupp carded five birdies and her 18-hole low round of the season. She was relaxed and able to swing away with everything going her way. The mythical zone for athletes.

“There is really no better feeling when stuff is clicking and you’re confident,” Rupp said. “You’re just out there and seeing how low you can go. It’s really fun.”

An early birdie putt helped spark her to a 1-under 35 on the front nine. Rupp actually had three birdies in a four-hole stretch on the front. She said she drained about a 25-foot uphill putt for birdie on the par-4 fourth hole. She added birdies on Nos. 7 and 8 and reached the turn with a par.

“I think that got the tone set because I wasn’t expecting to make it,” Rupp said. “It kind of just happened and I was like if I can make a putt like that then the rest of the round will go pretty good. The next couple holes I hit my shots to get in pretty tight and I made the putts again. I was just trying to see if I could shoot my personal best and how low I could go.”

Rupp also shared medalist honors at last week’s MVC Super Meet, which is the first of three rounds to determine all-conference honors. Rupp will enter the last divisional at Gardner Golf Course with a shot at Player of the Year honors.

“I’m just going to treat it like any other round,” Rupp said. “Try to shoot as best as I can for that round. We’ve played Gardner previously, so I’m going to go out and try to beat that score from the last time we played there. Let things fall into place.”

Nina Mercure and Ava Kline shot 82, while Quinn Dunkle added an 85 for the Lions, increasing their team lead for the MVC Valley title to 10 shots over Cedar Rapids Washington.

Mya Messenger and Jane Petersen led the Warriors. They finished with 74 and 76, respectively, to place second and third. The Warriors ended with 324.

The MVC Mississippi divisional was held at The Meadows in Dubuque. Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Addie Berg won medalist honors with 74. Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Meera Julka was runner-up at 79. Dubuque Wahlert won the team competition with 353.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com