Iowa City Liberty’s Bella Pettersen claims medalist honors at Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division girls’ golf meet

Iowa City Liberty’s Bella Pettersen proved she was one of the best golfers in the state last season.

As a freshman, she placed herself among the leaders in Class 4A and then finished third at the girls’ state tournament.

Pettersen finds herself atop the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division and in position for her second MVC divisional player of the year honor with one round left play. She fired 78 and earned medalist honors at the MVC Mississippi divisional Monday at Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Iowa City. Western Dubuque won the team title with a total of 361, beating runner-up Cedar Falls.

Pettersen trailed after last week’s MVC Super Meet, but topped Cedar Rapids Washington freshman Jane Petersen by four strokes, giving her a 154-155 lead entering next Monday’s third and final round at Gardner Golf Course. She carded two birdies, coming in under on the par-4 Nos. 12 and 18 holes, giving her an even-par 36 on the back nine.

Western Dubuque moved into a tie with Cedar Falls at 719 for the team lead after two rounds. The Bobcats topped the Tigers by 11 strokes. Cedar Rapids Washington was third with 377 and third overall at 742.

The Bobcats had three scores at 90 or better. McKenna Stackis powered Western Dubuque with 88, one shot ahead of freshman teammate Ce Ce Ball. Hanna Kluesner shot 99 and the Bobcats’ No. 6 golfer Addy Jones added 94.

Linn-Mar’s Morgan Rupp tied for fifth individually with 86, but her 161 total is good for third overall before the final round. Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Addie Berg shot 85 to tie for third and sits in fourth with a total of 163.

West’s Leigha Pacha, Xavier’s Meera Julka tie for Valley runner-up honors

Iowa City West’s Leigha Pacha and Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Meera Julka tied for runner-up honors at the MVC Valley Divisional on Monday at Dubuque Golf and Country Club. They each carded an 87, finishing one stroke back of Dubuque Hempstead’s Emma Daughetee. The Mustangs won the team title, shooting 363 and beating Dubuque Senior by 20.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson was the top area team, tying Waterloo West with the third-best score of 400. The J-Hawks were led by Kylee Thomas’ 96. Ava Erger posted a 98, while Kierra Thomas and Kiyaree Cooper added 99 and 107 to close out Jefferson’s scoring.

The Valley Division will close its competition next Monday at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo.

WILLIAMSBURG’S SCHAEFER CLAIMS WAMAC TITLE

Williamsburg’s Teagan Schaefer recorded an 87 and captured the individual crown at the Wamac Conference Super Meet on Monday at Saddleback Ridge in Solon.

Schaefer came in at 41, giving her the best score on the back nine and edging Dyersville Beckman runner-up medalist Shea Steffen, who shot 88.

The Raiders finished second to West Delaware. The Hawks posted 373 and won by nine strokes. Ella Koloc and Maylin Coates carded 88 and 92, respectively, to place third and fourth. Emma Hogan shot 96 and Kennedy Klostermann added 97 for West Delaware.