West Delaware shares similarities with state title team

West Delaware is two years removed from a state golf team title and just one from a disappointing finish that kept them from returning to state to defend that crown.

Coach Tom Fetter said the current Hawks could resemble the championship squad, but work remains.

'We're still not close to what I think we can do, but we are making progress,” Fetter said. 'I think our potential is similar to 2014, which sounds odd because last year we were quite a bit better than we were in 2014 or this year. You know how it works out in sports sometimes potential is fulfilled and sometimes it isn't.”

West Delaware ranks among the state leaders in all classes for team scoring and owns a 31-0 mark against competition. The Hawks are second in Class 3A with a 310 18-hole team average and third with 154.75 for nine.

Senior Clayton Larsen was a state runner-up on the title team. Senior Bryce Frick was 12th. Junior Trent Shaw played at state. They are leading the charge. Larsen is second in the state with a 35.25 nine-hole average and sixth with an adjusted combined scoring average of 37.89. Frick is tied for eighth in 3A with an 18-hole average of 75.

'We have three great sticks,” Fetter said. 'We just hope for a fourth score and so far we've been getting it.”

Fetter said the Hawks have a deep roster with about 10 behind capable to join the lineup with the top trio. The rivalry between teammates has pushed them to improve, comparing it to a sibling rivalry. The dynamic forced him to change his coaching strategy, matching other players with his leaders, instead of pairing the better golfers together while the rest battled for the remaining spots.

'From day 1, I had the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 golfers take out a different kid,” Fetter said. 'I think it's the closest team I've had because of it. Everybody has played with Clayton and Bryce.”

Derik Foster and freshman Gavin Soppe are prime candidates to fill in the fourth spot. Soppe has a 42.25 nine-hole average and 85 over 18. Foster averages 45.75 and 84.25. Adam Kelchen, a key contributor last season until a broken wrist sidelined him, is back in the mix.

'We just finally started to settle into our strong combinations,” said Fetter, noting that the team's eighth golfer was fourth at a recent rain-shortened meet at Maquoketa. 'Up until now, it was just to see our No. 10 man play with Clayton and Bryce. It's different for us, developing a little bit of confidence in those kids.”

Fetter said the Hawks' participation during the summer dipped but they have been all business since the start of practice. Larsen remained active in the off-season, playing on the Iowa Golf Association tour instead of on the junior circuit. He is trying to pass on the lessons he learned from older players, including some former Hawks.

'He picked up a lot of good mannerisms,” Fetter said. 'When you see people competing at a high level, a lot of it rubs off.

'He's done a nice job that way.”

NACOS ATOP CLASS 4A AGAIN

Sarah Nacos started this season in the same spot she ended last year. The sophomore from Washington, Iowa, leads Class 4A and it isn't even close.

Nacos, the 2015 individual champion as a freshman, has a 4A-best 37.50 nine-hole average, which is three shots better than the next golfer. She averages 71 in 18-hole competition, 10 strokes better than second held by Cedar Rapids Xavier's Amy Olberding. Her adjusted combined scoring average of 37.45 is more than four points ahead of the rest of the field.

Teammate Deanna Peiffer ranks third in all three categories, shooting 42,5 over nine and 82 for 18 holes.

CITY HIGH TO HOST MVC MEET

Iowa City High will host the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet on Monday at Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Iowa City. Play is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

Cedar Falls is the defending team champions. Dubuque Senior's Maddie Hawkins won medalist honors last year, edging City High's Sarah Overton by one stroke. The MVC Super Meet serves as the first of two rounds to determine divisional team and individual champions.

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