High school golf notes: West Delaware’s boys’ golf team is focused, excited about start to season

Driven, dialed in and devoted to help each other.

West Delaware Coach Christie Imsland has witnessed her players exhibit those traits.

“What I have seen, so far, is a team that is focused, fired up to play well and supportive of each other,” Imsland said. “Our mentality is one shot at a time and course management.”

The Hawks have parlayed that into a strong start of the boys’ golf season. They are coming off a 147-150 win over Wamac Conference foe Williamsburg after opening the season with a runner-up finish to the host at the Solon Invitational last week.

West Delaware’s depth consists of experienced players, upper classmen on the junior varsity level and a group of young talents. The Hawks push each other to be their best.

“We just keep wanting to get better every day,” Imsland said. “Think our way around the golf course better to eliminate the big numbers.”

West Delaware ranks third in Class 3A with a 157 combined adjusted team average. The Hawks shot 310 in the opening competition, ranking first in adjusted 18-hole average.

All six starters are within 4.67 strokes of each other in combined adjusted average. Seniors Macoy Peyton and Aidan Zirtzman lead the way with 38.83. Colson Mersch is next at 39.50. Senior Griffin Lott sits at 40.83 and owns the team’s nine-hole low of 35. Jack Buesing and Blake Mather come in at 42.50 and 43.50, respectively.

“In practice, we are seeing a team mentality,” Imsland said. “If someone is struggling, they aren’t afraid to ask each other questions. We have a pretty close team that isn’t afraid to push and help one another.

“It has been fun, so far, seeing their hard work paying off and staying focused on the team mentality.”

Peyton, Zirtzman, Lott, Mersch and Buesing were part of the state qualifying team two seasons ago. They didn’t make it back last year but have the potential to end this season at state. Progress throughout the course of the season is necessary.

“Last year was such a hard year with competition and being right there but just didn’t finish out sectionals the way we should have,” Imsland said. “We have been focusing on what each individual player needs to do to improve and focus on minimizing the big numbers.”

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WASHINGTON’S PETERSEN FIRES 5-UNDER

Cedar Rapids Washington’s Jane Petersen earned medalist honors at a Mississippi Valley Conference quadrangular Thursday at Twin Pines Golf Course. Petersen carded a 5-under 31 to top Linn-Mar state champion Morgan Rupp by two strokes.

Petersen ranks first in the state with a 31 nine-hole low and 33 nine-hole average.

Cedar Rapids Xavier won the team race, recording a 161 total. Washington was second at 164, 10 strokes ahead of Linn-Mar.

The Saints boasted three of the top-five scores. Mehar Julka was third with an even-par 36, while Hayley Morris and Evelyn Bern shot 40 and 41. Xavier is third in 3A with a CAA of 177.10.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson was led by Ava Erger, who was seventh with 42.

HIGHLAND LEADS AREA 1A TEAMS

Highland is the lowest scoring Gazette-area 1A program. The Huskies ranked fourth with a 197.85 CAA. Highland is unbeaten through three meets, winning duals with Winfield-Mount Union and Wapello and claiming the Nike Invitational team title at Flint Hills Golf Course in Burlington.

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