Zach Johnson Foundation Classic helped Cedar Rapids Washington golfer Jane Petersen bounce back from slump at Rotary Pribyl

MARION — Jane Petersen admitted this summer has included some struggles.

The Cedar Rapids Washington junior said doubt surrounded her putter and she needed to reset her mental approach. The key moment came Monday during the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic.

“Not really a lot of pressure and I started to putt stuff in,” said Petersen, who played the charity event with Tim and Caitlin Ahline, Jared Kuehner and pro McCullough Pickens. “Now, I’m just trying to play my own game.

“I’ve been giving my mental game a bit of a break. It helped a lot.”

Petersen fired 2-over 74 in the second round of the Rotary Pribyl Junior Golf Classic on Wednesday at Hunters Ridge. She has a 147 total and a five-shot lead over Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp entering the final round Thursday at Elmcrest Country Club.

“I was kind of in a slump there after state and up until now,” Petersen said. “This is kind of a breakthrough for me, so I’m excited to see what I can do (Thursday).”

Petersen and Rupp were tied at 73 after the first round Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Country Club. Petersen carded three birdies, coming in under on the par-5 No. 10 and par-4 Nos. 10 and 15 and posting 37 out and in. The first birdie provided a boost.

“I dropped a birdie putt and it took me back to even,” Petersen said. “I told myself just go for it. Start making putts. I was lagging for par a lot. I just needed to try to make birdies. Be aggressive.”

The all-Mississippi Valley Conference and all-Metro performer is a two-time state qualifier. Petersen placed 12th in Class 4A as a freshman and was state runner-up in May. She finished one stroke back of Rupp, missing a putt on the final hole.

“If I’m being honest, it really took a toll on the mental game,” Petersen said. “I walked out of there knowing I could shoot under par and I can put two rounds together. I also walked out of there knowing I was so close and couldn’t get there.”

The duo was grouped together with Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Meera Julka. The current girls’ golf talent level in the area is deep and impressive. Petersen and Rupp thrive playing against one another, as part of that pool of formidable golfers.

“It’s awesome,” Petersen said. “I love having someone that we’re going back and forth. It challenges me and gives me something to go for. I know I can’t come out here and play average golf and win a tournament. I have to bump my skill level up a little and that is nice to have.”

Mehar Julka shot 79, while older sister, Meera, carded an 80. Meera is third at 159, leading Mehar by one. Petersen’s Washington teammate, Lily Belle Barker was fifth with an 85 and 168 total.

In the boys’ open division, Cedar Rapids Kennedy state champion Reid Hall has a six-stroke lead over Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Tanner Wachtl. Hall fired a 1-under 71 in the second round Wednesday, giving him a total of 214. Hall also competed as an amateur in the Greater Cedar Rapids Open last week at Hunters Ridge.

Wachtl shot 72 for 220 overall. Xavier’s Quincey Johnson (224) and Garrett Nurre (227) are third and fourth, respectively. Logan Otting rounded out the top five with a two-day total of 230.

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