3-peat complete: Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp claims Class 4A girls’ state golf title

IOWA CITY – Morgan Rupp likes a good dad joke.

“What’s red and bad for your teeth,” the Linn-Mar senior said during an interview before the state tournament. “A brick.” A soft giggle followed.

Hard to imagine those quips benefiting her performance but Lions Coach Chris James’ timely humor helped her relax and focus with a lot on the line.

Rupp appeared calm and composed during the final round of the Class 4A girls’ state golf meet Friday at Pleasant Valley Golf Course. Her birdie on the 16 th hole led to an even-par 72 and a two-day total of 141, edging Iowa City West freshman Ainsley Wilson by one for medalist honors. Rupp captured her third straight state crown.

“Coming up to this week, I feel like I tried to take the expectations off of myself and really just focus on the golf and not think about the end result,” Rupp said. “I feel like that really helped me stay in the right mentality throughout this week.”

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Rupp is one of eight three-time state champion and became the 11 th golfer in state history to win at least three state titles. She said she didn’t expect to win it the last two years and was uncertain she could pull off the feat again.

“It's kind of a surreal feeling,” Rupp said. “I honestly didn't feel like I was going to be able to accomplish what I've accomplished the past three years. It's really just kind of crazy. It hasn't sunk in yet, but it's just an amazing feeling.

“Not many people have been able to win three straight title. I didn't expect myself to do it, but I feel like I almost a adopted the mentality of like, ‘Why not me?’”

The turning point came on Rupp’s 16 th hole. She took a lead with a birdie; a hole she bogeyed the first round. Rupp said she hit into trouble her first two shots and then couldn’t get up and down Thursday.

The second round was completely different. Rupp said she placed her first two shots perfectly and was left with a 6 to 8-feet uphill putt. She dropped the putt, which provided a sense of relief for the final three holes and proved to be the difference in the individual standings.

“I went out and I putted yesterday after my round,” Rupp said. “I told myself this is just like the putt you practiced. I was able to put a good stroke on it and make it. I feel like that really just helped settle me and really felt good to make birdie on that hole.”

Whenever the stress and frustration crept in, James shooed it away with one of his jokes. Rupp said each one centered her and built much-needed positive momentum.

“Coach James was a huge asset to my playing the past couple days,” Rupp said. “He has been a phenomenal coach my past four years, and I honestly think he is by far the best high school coach in the state. I think he can give me good advice on golf, what clubs to hit and where to play it.

“But he’s good with keeping me in a good mental frame (of mind).”

Steadiness and consistency were crucial for Rupp’s victory. She recorded 12 pars throughout the second round and was par or under for 10 of the last 11 holes. Rupp did bogey No. 18 but tallied 26 pars in 36 holes through the two-day event.

“She made a lot of quality shots,” James said. “She stayed out of trouble.”

Rupp’s resume speaks for itself. The University of South Dakota signee placed fifth as a freshman before her gold-medal streak. Rupp was a two-time Mississippi Valley Conference divisional Player of the Year.

Rupp has endured competitive challenges from Wilson, Wachtl and Cedar Rapids Washington’s Jane Petersen to name a few. She produced a fitting ending to an elite prep career.

“She’s pretty special,” James said. “I don’t think I’ve had more fun coaching a kid.”

Wilson led after the first round with 4-68. She recorded two birdies and closed with 74 and 142 total.

Wachtl finished fifth with 146, improving her 12 th-place showing last season as a freshman.

Petersen earned her third straight top-eight finish. She was a state runner-up in 2023 and was sixth a year ago. Petersen shot 77 Friday for a 150 total, coming in eighth. Petersen helped the Warriors place fourth with a 336 and a total of 667. Western Dubuque was sixth.

Ames won the team title with 633, while Pleasant Valley and Waukee Northwest each shot 634.

In the 3A state tournament at Saddleback Ridge Golf Course in Solon, Cedar Rapids Xavier placed fourth with Mehar Julka and Hayley Morris coming in at fifth and sixth overall. Both shot 76 Friday. Julka finished with a 148 and Morris ended with 149.

Clear Creek Amana’s Brooklyn Lee posted the second-best second-round score, firing 3-under 69 for a 147. She was fourth, improving last year’s finished by 11 spots.

Benton Community’s Halle Sobaski placed ninth with 151 for her second straight top-10 performance.

Gilbert’s twin sisters, Ava and Ella Lohrbach claimed medalist and runner-up medalist honors, helping Gilbert win a third straight state title. Ava shot 66 Friday for a 136, the third-best all-time 36-hole score at state for the title. Ella shot 139.

Oelwein captured its first state team title in girls’ golf, winning the 2A meet at Cedar Pointe Golf Course in Boone. The Huskies fired 666, capping the championship with a 341 for the final round.

Grace Lewis led Oelwein with a second-place finish, shooting 1-over 73 for a 145 total. Hannah Patrick placed 14 th at 169, Grace Burg was 19th with 170 and Jaylynn Craun had a 182 total for the Huskies, who beat runner-up New Hampton by seven.

Sumner-Fredericksburg’s Chloe Bolte edged Lewis by two strokes and won her fourth state title. She is the third to become a four-time champion, joining Dubuque’s Sharon Fladoos (1958-61) and Charles City’s Jessie Sindlinger (2010-13).

Central City’s Bretlyn Decker logged a third-place finish at the 1A state meet at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown. Decker closed with a second-round score of 84 for a 161 total. She was just one shot back of second and five strokes away from titlist Jaylee Shaffer, of Mount Ayr. Emersyn Schultz was sixth with 166, propelling Highland to fourth in the team race.

Easton Valley won the 1A team title, outplaying Nashua-Plainfield, 690-719. East Buchanan was sixth with 748.

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