Teams to watch this fall in boys golf

A breakdown of some of the best teams to keep your eyes on in high school golf in Eastern Iowa this upcoming season.

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

Coach: Mark Wilden (12th year)

2009: 94-6 overall, placed 4th in 4A state; MVC and district champions

Outlook:Cougars are the team to beat in the area. They return a lot of experience and talent from last year's squad. Dane Worley, who was third at state last season, will lead the way. Juniors Cody Bell, Jonathan Chadick, Mitchell Martin and Brigham Stewart and senior Dan Wasta earned all-Metro honors a year ago. The Cougars will have a tough task to repeat nearly sweeping the competition, prior to the state meet. They have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of Connor Steele and Isaac Brown, but Kennedy has tremendous depth, including a roster with more than 55 players. Another MVC title is certainly within their grasp, and they will be shooting to improve last year's state meet performance.

Coach's comment: “The biggest concern I have as a coach is how to get enough playing time for all of our talented individuals as well as to challenge our team to get stronger as the season progresses.” – Mark Wilden

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER

Coach: Tim O'Brien (4th year)

2009: 37-37 conference record; 7th at district meet

Outlook:This could be the best team Xavier Coach Tim O'Brien has had in his tenure. The Saints have a solid nucleus of players returning from a squad that was fourth at last year's CRANDIC meet. Senior Devin Olson and Junior J.P. King will look to take over as leader with the graduation of Will Thinnes. Olson averaged 39.92 per nine holes last year, while King was slightly higher at 40.32. Junior Jason Beer and Senior Matt Watson give the Saints four top golfers who averaged under 41.3 strokes per nine last season. They could get contributions from some underclassmen, which will help solidify the lineup. They should contend with Cedar Falls and Iowa City West for the MVC's Valley Division title.

Coach's comment: “The key is being consistent. … I'm really looking forward to it (the season) and seeing what my guys are able to do.” – Tim O'Brien

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach: Don Bristow (2nd Year)

2009: 53-24 in MVC, Ninth in 4A state meet, third at district, CRANDIC runner-up

Outlook:According to West Coach Don Bristow, this season is a work in progress. The squad has five key returners, including a mix of upperclassmen and youth. Seniors Ryan Shields, Michael Whetstone and Brendon Cullen and sophomores Dominic Muzzin and Sam Scott will lead the way. All but one played on last year's state meet squad. Bristow said the team has looked to improve its short game to make strides.

Coach's comment: “Most of the team is back, but we have to see how they do. … These kids just have to strive for success.” – Don Bristow

LINN-MAR

Coach: Steve Kahler (26th year)

2009: 62-12 MVC, 6th at state; third at CRANDIC, district runner-up

Outlook: At first glance, it looks to be a rebuilding year for the Lions. They lost four starters from last year's team that placed fourth at the state meet, but that team was replacing four starters from 2008. Linn-Mar has two seniors (Jeremy Danover and Mike Tibor) and two juniors (Clay Vieth and Kyle Hackett) ready to step in and support Tyler McCann and Trevor Berry, who are the two returning starters. A tough schedule at the start will give Lions a good gauge as to how strong they will be.

Coach's comment: “I think we have two pretty good ones (McCann and Berry) there. The others are guys that have waited their turn and are juniors and seniors that their time has come to step in to varsity. I think they're going to fill in pretty good for us.”