South Winneshiek posts program-best runner-up finish at Class 1A boys' state golf meet

WATERLOO – South Winneshiek possessed the elements for success.

Experience, talent and the drive to be improve from a year ago. The Warriors parlayed those qualities into their best finish in program history.

South Winn shot 313 on Day 2 and ended with a 638 total to finish second at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A boys’ state golf tournament Wednesday at South Hills Golf Course. The Warriors finished behind team champion Boyden-Hull, which posted a 618.

“We knew that we had the potential to do something special with this group,” South Winn Coach Mike Wenthold said. “We have a lot of really good athletes who absolutely love golf. They played all summer last year and then found simulators all winter. They never put the clubs down. Nothing is ever a given, but we felt really good about this team before anyone ever teed up this spring.”

The Warriors returned five starters from last season’s state squad, adding junior Carver Wenthold, who was on the cusp of that lineup. The Warriors knew what to expect this year and they were determined to better the previous state performance.

“I absolutely think that being in the tournament last year made us more prepared for the little things that make this tournament different,” Wenthold said. “There were no surprises this year, which let us focus on the golf. But maybe more than anything, I think last year’s finish motivated the guys to work as hard as they did in the offseason.“

South Winn recorded a 325 and was second after Day 1. The Warriors shrunk their score to hold its spot. Carson Streeter led the way Wednesday with 72. Cale Kleppe followed with 74. Braiden Todd and Matson Winings added 83 and 84, respectively.

“We were able to get two very low scores with Carson Streeter shooting even par and Cale Kleppe shooting 2-over,” Wenthold said. “They made very few mistakes today. Beyond that, all you can ask for is guys to grind their way to a solid round, and that’s what we got from Braiden and Matson. They were able to grind.”

Streeter opened the tournament with 77 and tied for the second-best round on Day 2. He ended up fourth with 149. Kleppe was ninth at 154. Streeter overcame a knee injury suffered during the winter.

“Carson was dialed in this entire tournament,” Wenthold said. “I knew that he was capable of doing what he did, but to do it on the biggest stage is truly remarkable.

“After hurting his knee in basketball, the golf season wasn’t guaranteed for him. I think he understood all season long how lucky he is that he was healthy enough to get on the course, and he took full advantage. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Hillcrest Academy also had two top-10 finishes, including runner-up medalist Laim Schrock. He fired 1-under 71 and totaled 146, one shot back of state titlist Keith Thompson, of Hamburg. Teammate Rowan Miller placed eighth with 153.

In 3A at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls, Solon’s Isaiah Zoske shot 73, giving him a score of 140 and third place. Zoske finished in the top 10 at state all four seasons.

Independence’s Dawson Fuelling tied for seventh with 145 and West Delaware’s Aidan Zirtzman tied for ninth with 146.

The Mustangs placed fourth as a team, scoring 597 overall. Independence’s Jacob Bonefas tied for 11th with 147.

Solon finished sixth in the team standings with 609, one shot better than seventh-place West Delaware. West Liberty made its first state appearance and was 10th with 636.

North Linn also made its state debut in 1A and placed sixth, one spot behind Sigourney.

Oelwein’s Brandon Tournier tied for eighth with a two-round score of 150, including 73 Wednesday at Gates Park Golf Course.

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