Cedar Rapids Washington girls’ golf team captures regional title

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Washington’s girls’ golf team has some unfinished business.

The Warriors were state runners-up a year ago. They earned another shot at a title.

Washington posted a 318 team score and won the team title at the Class 4A regional Wednesday at Gardner Golf Course. The Warriors advance to the state tournament May 23-24 at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny.

“We’ve been waiting and getting ready,” Washington junior Jane Petersen said. “Last year, we were only predicted to get fifth place, at best. So, we’re ready to kick butt this year.”

The Warriors’ Mya Messenger earned medalist honors, shooting 75 and winning a cardback tiebreaker against Cedar Rapids Prairie’s runner-up Kylie Wachtl. Messenger opened the round with three straight bogeys and played consistently well the rest of the way. She kept her concentration and composure after the slow start.

“A rough start comes with the nerves, so staying loose,” Messenger said. “You have so many more opportunities to score and get back to even. It’s just staying relaxed and knowing there is a lot of golf left. It’s not over after a couple bad holes.”

Messenger capped a busy and successful two days with her second state berth. Messenger and teammate Lily Belle Barker helped Washington’s tennis team qualify for state Tuesday. The multisport spring athletes were instrumental Wednesday with Barker rounding out the Warriors’ scores with an 85.

The key was getting plenty of rest and hydrating after tennis.

“Also, just focusing on golf and the next shot, staying grounded,” Messenger said. “Head space is here, playing golf and not focusing on anything else. Just trying to do my best and help our team win.”

Washington Coach Dennis Goettel commended Messenger and Barker for their efforts. It’s the second year in a row they’ve qualified in both sports.

“I have so much praise for Lily Belle and Mya,” Goettel said. “It’s incredible.”

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Petersen, the individual state runner-up last season, placed fourth with 76 and freshman Shaylin Munson added an 82, which was good enough to qualify individually as well. Washington has prevailed most of the season and it has come from more than the trio with state experience.

“It’s been a great group to work with,” Goettel said. “Everyone has stepped up to contribute. It’s been a team effort. They’ve really tightened things up.”

Wachtl qualified for state as a freshman. She was able to achieve one of her top objectives.

“This is one of my big goals for the year,” Wachtl said. “It’s really special that I got to qualify, playing with the teammates I love the most.”

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Linn-Mar, Morgan Rupp return to state

Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp will get a chance to defend her state title, claiming medalist honors in the 4A regional at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. Rupp fired a 1-under 72, beating Ankeny Centennial’s Payton Drefke by six.

The Lions also snagged a team berth, recording a total of 356 and placing 22 behind host Ames. Gabby Mercure shot 92, Jayden Schumacher had 94 and Nina Mercure added 98 for Linn-Mar.

Liberty’s Bella Pettersen advances

After a year hiatus, Iowa City Liberty’s Bella Pettersen earned a state berth with a first-place finish in the 4A regional at Geneva Golf and Country Club in Muscatine. Pettersen fired a 1-under 70 for medalist honors and her third trip to the state tournament.

Pettersen, who placed third at state as a freshman and sophomore, scorched the back nine, carding four birdies including three straight from holes No. 14 to 16.

Western Dubuque wins regional crown

Western Dubuque qualified for the 4A state tournament, winning the team title at the 4A regional at American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown. Western Dubuque shot a total of 333, topping second-place Marshalltown by 20 strokes.

Western Dubuque’s McKenna Stackis shot 79 for second, while teammate CeCe Ball was fifth at 81. Addy Jones carded an 86 and Natalie Fangmann and Amber Wilson each had 87 for Western Dubuque.

Julka sisters power Xavier to win

Cedar Rapids Xavier captured the team title at the 3A regional hosted by Solon at Saddleback Ridge Golf Course. Mehar Julka earned medalist honors, while sister Meera Julka was runner-up.

The Saints shot 321, beating the runner-up Spartans by 17.

Class 4A regional golf results

At Gardner Golf Course

(Par 72)

Teams – 1. C.R. Washington 318*, 2. Cedar Falls 324*, 3. Johnston 361, 4. C.R. Prairie 368, 5. Indianola 374, 6. Dubuque Hempstead 379, 7. Dubuque Senior 383, 8. Davenport West 436**, 9. C.R. Kennedy 436, 10. Clinton 498.

Individual state qualifiers – 1. Mya Messenger (CRW), 75***, 2. Kylie Wachtl (CRP), 75, 3. Molly Ratchford (CF), 76***, 4. Jane Petersen (CRW), 76, 5. Haley Jacobs (CF), 78, 6. Shaylin Munson (CRW), 82

*-State qualifying teams

**-Won tiebreaker with better fifth-player score

***-Won cardback tiebreaker

C.R. WASHINGTON (318): Messenger 75, Petersen 76, Munson 82, Lily Belle Barker 85

C.R. PRAIRIE (368): Wachtl 75, Morgan Burhans 92, Johanna Caspers 100, Sophie Palmer 101

C.R. KENNEDY (436): Ella Nurre 89, Bella Devereux 108, Brooklyn Gilchrist 113, Grace Yauslin 126

At Ames

(Veenker Memorial Golf Course, par 73)

Teams – 1. Ames 334*, 2. Linn-Mar 356*, 3. Ankeny Centennial 366, 4. Mason City 436, 5. Dallas Center-Grimes 442, 6. Sioux City North 458, 7. Fort Dodge 482

Individual state qualifiers – 1. Morgan Rupp (LM), 72, 2. Payton Drefke (AC), 78, 3. Emersen Motl (Ames), 80, 4. Macy Button (Ames), 80, 5. Elizabeth Duncan (Ames), 85, 6. Jessie Lohman (Ames), 89

*-State qualifying teams

LINN-MAR (356): Rupp 72, Gabby Mercure 92, Jayden Schumacher 94, Nina Mercure 98

At Muscatine

(Geneva Golf and Country Club, par 71)

Teams – 1. Pleasant Valley 325*, 2. North Scott 365*, 3. Iowa City Liberty 391, 4. Bettendorf 401, 5. Muscatine 407, 6. Iowa City High 421, 7. Ottumwa 441, 8. Burlington 493, 9. Davenport Central 502, 10. Davenport North 502

Individual state qualifiers – 1. Bella Pettersen (ICL), 70, 2. Isabella Steele (PV), 72, 3. Rylee Brockhouse (M), 73, 4. Camille Wood (PV), 80, 5. Lauren Briggs (Bur), 83**, 6. Kalina Stoefen (NS), 83

*-State team qualifiers

**-Won cardback tiebreaker

I.C. LIBERTY (391): Pettersen 70, Sydney Hested 105, Leona Rupp 108, Claire Franzwa 108

CITY HIGH (421): Haleigh Nelson 91, Hannah Cronk 100, Tully Campion 109, Olivia Neuzil 121

At Marshalltown

(American Legion Golf Course, par 71)

Teams – 1. Western Dubuque 333*, 2. Marshalltown 353*, 3. Norwalk 360, 4. Waterloo West 366, 5. Waukee 367, 6. Ankeny 391, 7. Iowa City West 397**, 8. Newton 397, 9. C.R. Jefferson 444, 10. Des Moines Lincoln 486

Individual state qualifiers – 1. Natalie Henson (M), 76, 2. McKenna Stackis (WD), 79, 3. Ansley Adams (Wauk), 80, 4. Bree Stegall (WW), 81***, 5. CeCe Ball (WD), 81, 6. Gaby Estabrook (M), 83

*-State team qualifiers

**-Won tiebreaker with better fifth-player score

***-Won cardback tiebreaker

I.C. WEST (397): Lily Schmid 94, Sophie Bodin 98, Whitney Noeller 100, Gretchen Van Iddekinge 105

C.R. JEFFERSON (444): Rachel Johnson 101, Aiyana Moeller 110, Kiyaree Cooper 116, Peyton Kinrade 117

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