Cedar Rapids Xavier finished 8th, Linn-Mar’s Christian Cloyd tied for 15th at Class 4A boys’ state golf tournament

JOHNSTON – Cedar Rapids Xavier and Linn-Mar fared better the second day of the boys’ state golf tournament.

The Saints had four of six players improved their scores for the previous day and Lions’ senior Christian Cloyd made on of the biggest jumps in the individual standings from first to last round.

Cloyd led all area golfers, shooting 73 during the second round of the Class 4A state meet Tuesday at Hyperion Field Club. Cloyd finished with 157 two-day total to tie for 15 th overall. Xavier and Linn-Mar each shot 312 Tuesday, placing eighth and 11 th, respectively.

The Saints improved by eight strokes and held their spot in the team standings. Xavier senior Jack Pauly carded 76, tying for 18th with a 154 total. Pauly and Jacob Schmit both improved by two strikes. Schmit and freshman Harrison Hartke added 78 apiece Tuesday. Schmit finished with 158 overall, one shot better of teammate Logan Otting. Hartke was five shots better on Day 2, helping the Saints post a 632 total.

“I thought we played better, considering the light shower at the beginning of the round,” Xavier Coach Brandon Schiltz said. “Greens were still quick but thought we handled them better.”

The Saints have experienced a special season, sweeping conference honors, breaking the program’s scoring mark and returning to the state tournament.

“Overall, it was a record-setting year,” Schiltz said. “While we didn’t accomplish a win at state, it doesn’t take away from all of the success we had this season.”

Hartke and Otting provide strong leadership for next season. Xavier will have to replace the other four starters but have the depth to be back here next season.

“We have a solid 1-2 coming back, along with several in development that will shine,” Schiltz said. “We have a very deep (junior varsity) team, so I’m confident in our team moving forward.”

Cloyd has been a state regular, making his third appearance. He finished eighth and 12th, previously. Cloyd tied for the fourth-best jump between rounds, climbing 21 spots from Day 1. He was seven strokes better, opening the round with three consecutive birdies and firing 1-under 35 on the back nine.

Like Cloyd, Trevor Denny was seven strokes better, shooting 78. Max Faulkner added 76 and tied for 25th with 156. Kael Smith added 85, helping the Lions move up one spot with a 644.

Johnston’s Andrew Johannsen carded consecutive rounds of 1-under 71, claiming the individual crown with 142. He edged North Scott’s Jaxon Adkisson and Waukee’s Jonathan Ward by one.

West Des Moines Dowling held its lead and captured the team title, shooting 303 for a 598 total. The Maroons topped runner-up Johnston by 10.

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