Iowa City High’s Jake Mitchell balances time on the golf course and football field

IOWA CITY — Jake Mitchell’s fall consisted of early mornings and late evenings.

The Iowa City High senior embraced the long hours and busy schedule necessary to balance his commitment to both golf and football. A multisport athlete in the same season.

“I’ve always played golf since a really young age,” Mitchell said. “I have some good friends that are on the golf team. I really love playing football and I know this is my last year, so I wanted to do both.”

Mitchell has played key roles in both Little Hawks programs, ranking third in 18-hole average for the golf team and leading the football team in tackles. He was a first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division performer and helped City High to its first divisional crown since 2002.

“Jake’s a great young man and he’s been a great leader on the course and an exceptional student in the classroom,” Little Hawks Coach Derek Birt said. “I know many young kids look up to him and want to follow in his footsteps.”

Mitchell will join his golf teammates Monday for the Class 4A district meet at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls. City High will attempt to continue the impressive turnaround, vying for a state tournament berth.

“We definitely have the ability to go low and make the state tournament,” Mitchell said. “Our expectations are set high to make the state tournament, as long as we stick to our game, which makes us capable. We have high hopes.”

Mitchell didn’t play golf his first two years, but a broken leg suffered during his sophomore baseball season prevented him from playing football last fall. He stayed active, joining the golf team.

This year presented a dilemma — golf or football — for the healthy Mitchell. He opted for both. A decision that demanded time management skills.

On Thursday, Mitchell woke up early in the morning for a football film session before school. He attended classes for the day and then went to football practice. The walk-through on the eve of City High’s 61-0 win over Davenport Central ended earlier than regular practices, so he raced to the golf course to squeeze in work. About a 12-hour day, closing the day with more studies.

“It’s a full day but I enjoy both sports,” said Mitchell, who leads the Little Hawks with 38 tackles. “So, that’s why I do it.”

Birt said Mitchell began to prepare for double-duty in the winter. Birt and City High football head coach Mitch Moore discussed the possibility in the offseason. Mitchell was determined to make his mark on the course, averaging 81.57 per round with a 41.64 combined adjusted average.

“I’m pretty sure his dedication and work ethic to his craft has been ingrained in him since he was a little kid,” Birt said. “At the beginning of the year, he told me he wanted to make all-conference in golf and he dedicated himself every day in the gym, hitting balls, on the range and getting his putting drills in when he had time.”

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Mitchell spent Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights with football. He practiced with the golf team Wednesday and worked on his game Friday mornings and during the weekend. Mitchell appreciates the flexibility and support from coaches and all his teammates.

“It’s not the easiest decision because I did have to miss some football practices and some golf practices,” Mitchell said. “Also, trying to mix school in there as well is tough.

“I’m grateful for my teammates because I’m not there every day. They still take me in as a leader. It’s very good.”

What is his biggest achievement this season?

“For golf, we won the conference tournament for the first time since 2002,” Mitchell said. “That is a pretty big accomplishment.

“In football, I think statistically I’m leading the team in tackles, which is also pretty cool.”

Mitchell is assured of one more day of golf with the hope of stretching out to a week. He also wrestles and plays baseball, so he will stay busy even when golf concludes.

“I’ll probably be going into baseball and possibly wrestling, too, during that free time,” Mitchell said. “It will be the next sport up.”

The Little Hawks ruled in the MVC Valley. They won the final two divisional meets and placed four players on the top two all-conference teams. Jack Rogers and Ethan Nace joined Mitchell on the first team, while Nick Meredith was a second-teamer.

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City High is ranked 18th in combined adjusted team average and will battle No. 9 Cedar Rapids Xavier, No. 12 Cedar Falls and No. 15 Western Dubuque for one of those state spots in the 14-team field.

“I think winning the MVC title in our division will help the team at districts immensely,” Birt said. “We didn’t just hold on and try and win the MVC championship. We showed up and took command of the championship and this will have huge benefits with the confidence of our team when we tee it up Monday at Pheasant Ridge.

“The City High program (has) an entirely new mindset of continuing to improve each and every day, holding yourself accountable when things get hard, maintaining a positive attitude and continue to attack the course each time we tee it up.”

Gazette area teams will travel in different directions, competing in three of the four districts. Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Cedar Rapids Washington are also at Cedar Falls.

Iowa City Liberty will host a district that includes Iowa City West at Brown Deer Golf Club in Coralville. Cedar Rapids Prairie and Linn-Mar are assigned to the district at Briarwood Golf Club in Ankeny.

The top three teams and top two individuals and ties not on team qualifiers advance to the 4A state tournament on Oct. 6-7 at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com