Mount Vernon moves up and moves on to state

AMANA - A different class but the same shot at a state title.

A year after placing third at the Class 2A state golf meet, the Mount Vernon boys' golf team made the jump to 3A and claimed a berth in the final meet of the season.

The Mustangs earned a runner-up finish at the Iowa High School Athletic Association 3A district meet Wednesday at Amana Colonies Golf Club. Connor Herrmann captured medalist honors with 75, helping Mount Vernon shoot 328 and finishing two back of district team champion DeWitt Central. Defending state champion West Delaware was third with 335 and did not advance to the state meet at Spring Valley Golf Course in Livermore.

Sights have been set on this accomplishment and Herrmann said the Mustangs were confident, competing against better teams in 3A. The Mustangs placed third at the 2A meet last year and fourth in 2013.

'It's a really big deal for us,” Herrmann said. 'Everyone wants to go. It's so fun there. We're all real happy.”

The competitiveness and talent at all six spots in the starting lineup were key. Riley Hauser, the Mustangs' No. 5 golfer, provided the crucial fourth score, carding an 85.

'In 3A, there is a little more depth on teams,” Mount Vernon Coach Mick Angel said. 'You have to be a little more balance, so it's always been a team effort.”

The entire field had to battle the elements. Temperatures hovered in the 40s for the round and a steady rain fell throughout the morning, decreasing to a slight sprinkle and finally ceasing in the early afternoon.

Herrmann, who was third individually at the 2014 state meet, overcame the conditions and power Mount Vernon, firing 3-over par with three birdies. He tried to stay dry early and then managed the course as the rain stopped a hole after the turn.

'I scrambled on the front nine,” said Herrmann, who was out with 36. 'On the back nine, I played pars. Overall, I was pretty happy with my play.”

Herrmann had birdies on the second and seventh holes. He chipped in from 10 yards out, rolling it to the pin and dropping his third shot on No. 7.

Herrmann said he made better contact on the back nine, reaching more greens in regulation. It helped him secure medalist honors by one stroke with a birdie on No. 17.

'I hit a nice 7-iron into the green,” said Herrmann, edging DeWitt runner-up, Rielly McGranahan, who bogeyed the 17th hole. 'I had a 15-foot uphill putt. I read it right and made it.”

Senior Andy DeCamp and junior Tommy Hook each added 84 for Mount Vernon, which will play a state event at Spring Valley for the third straight year. Herrmann said the Mustangs are looking to improve last year's finish and Angel said they are capable. The plan is to enter the tournament with that mind-set.

'At least we are going to be familiar with it,” Angel said. 'We want to go down there to win it and not just to play. We'll talk to the guys about that and I think they will approach it the right way.”

CLASS 3A DISTRICT

At Amana

(Amana Colonies Golf Club, par 72)

Teams - 1. *DeWitt Central 326, 2. *Mount Vernon 328, 3. West Delaware 335, 4. Vinton-Shellsburg 356, 5. Washington 372.

*-State qualifiers.

Individual state qualifiers - 1. Connor Herrmann (MV), 75, 2. Rielly McGranahan (DC), 76, 3. Brandon Haack (DC), 80, 4. McGwire Eden (DC), 81.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com