Kennedy shooting for state golf title

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's golf team is vying for a state championship.

The Cougars are motivated to claim an elusive title and contribute gold to the school's trophy case. They also are looking to honor a late teammate.

Kennedy golfers remain inspired by the memory of Drew Wall, the 16-year-old who died in late 2012 after a five-year battle with cancer. Wall was the classmate of the current Kennedy seniors closing their prep golf careers this weekend at the Class 4A state golf meet at Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City.

Six golfers will be playing. Kennedy's Davis Sutton said a seventh will be there in spirit.

'It makes us think this isn't the end of the world whether we win or lose,” Sutton said. 'We're going to give it our all. There is someone up there trying to help us out.

'I knew Drew pretty well. I went to middle school with him. Drew would definitely be cheering us on this weekend to do it.”

Wall was a member of the Cougar golf team, despite a prosthetic leg, and impacted those who met him with his toughness and optimism while fighting the effects of osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Kennedy qualified for its eighth straight state meet, wearing the purple shirts that contained his initials as a tribute to him two years ago.

'We just want to represent what Drew stood for,” Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden said. 'Cancer and those inflicted with that disease, we hope to inspire somebody and do something good. That is the bottom line.”

The purple shirts and the slogan 'Just Drew It” that was coined in Wall's name serve as a reminder of his influence. They provide perspective, reminding them more important things exist beyond any adversity they face on the course.

'We still wear our purple shirts,” Senior Cole Murdock said. 'When we wear them, it feels like when something starts going bad you think to yourself how bad he had it and how lucky you are to be out there.”

Murdock said Wall has been a rallying point, building brotherly relationships with other Cougars. Sutton said Wall may not have played in the top six but he was a very important part of their team. They wanted to play their best when he was around, including the 2012 district when he accepted Kennedy's title banner. The goal is to put together one more winning performance.

'It would be nice to win one, especially for him,” Sutton said. 'It's something we all want and something he would definitely want.”

The Cougars have two consecutive state runner-up finishes to different teams. A state title is the last to add to the list of accomplishments. Plenty of people are pulling for them.

'They want to do it for him, but they want to do it for themselves, too,” Wilden said. 'His family wants us to do it, too. We've gotten such great support from them (and) all our parents support.

'It's really humbling the amount of support we've received.”

Kennedy won major events this season, including the district, Mississippi Valley Conference and CRANDIC team titles. The goal was to peak for the postseason and they came in under 300 Tuesday at Hunters Ridge in Marion.

'We're all playing good right now,” Sutton said. 'All of us are really coming together right now. Hopefully we can do something Friday and Saturday.”

Murdock was medalist Tuesday, while senior Conner Koberg was third overall. Sutton, who has two straight top-10 finishes at state, provide three consistent low scores. The Cougars' Tanner Stewart, Ross Grekoff and junior Jordan Weiss rounded out the lineup with Weiss providing the fourth score.

Kennedy will need balance both days to come away with gold.

'We have to have depth,” Wilden said. 'If we get that kind of depth then I think we have a legitimate shot.”

Linn-Mar also qualified for the state meet. The Lions finished third at the district meet, led by Max Thrune's 74. Linn-Mar Coach Bill Hoefle said that numerous teams can contend for a top spot, including his Lions. The district showing was closer to the potential he expected from them this season.

'It's going to be a shootout,” Hoefle said. 'We have to show up and play. That course is tough.”

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