Iowa City West captures state golf berth with runner-up district finish

CORALVILLE — Iowa City West’s boys’ golf team was all smiles for their picture.

They had good reason to grin from ear to ear standing behind a well-earned banner.

The Trojans extended their season with a runner-up finish at the Class 4A district meet at Brown Deer Golf Club. Dillon Croco claimed medalist honors and helped West to a 293 team total, coming in four back of team champion Dubuque Wahlert.

“We did a great job today,” West Coach Don Bristow said. “We were sitting in sixth place and thought we just need to shoot a good score and we could get there this year. They did it.”

West grabbed one of the three team berths, advancing to the state meet for the first time since 2009.

“It was a real good feeling,” Bristow said. “I’m happy for the boys and can’t wait until Friday to play at state.”

West ranked 26th in the combined adjusted team averages, sitting behind six teams in its district, including No. 2 Pleasant Valley, No. 5 Wahlert and No. 11 Iowa City Liberty. The Trojans edged the Spartans and North Scott by one. Pleasant Valley won the tiebreaker with a better fifth-player score.

Croco led the balanced team effort. Cole Collier shot even par 71. Sophomore Jack MacLagan added 76, while classmate Tate Genkinger rounded out the scoring with 80.

“There are a lot of good teams in this (Mississippi Valley) conference and we have a good team (too),” Bristow said. “It just depends on the day. They all clicked at the same time. It was nice.”

The Trojans executed their game plan on a familiar course. They started on Hole No. 10, opting to hit irons off the tee box to stay in play. The approach paid dividends.

Croco recorded five birdies on the 13th, 14th and 16th holes for a 3-under 32 at the halfway point. He came under on Nos. 1 and 2.

“He started on the back nine, which is the hardest,” Bristow said. “He kept it in play and that’s what you’ve got to do.”

West will play at the state tournament Friday and Saturday at Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny. The Trojans were in a celebratory mood Monday.

“The boys were happy,” Bristow said. “The parents were happy. The parents said we’ll take care of everything, coach. Just go and have a good time. I’m all set for Friday.”

Xavier, City High, Kennedy’s Hall advance

Cedar Rapids Xavier and Iowa City High earned state berths Monday at the 4A district at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls. The Saints shot 292 to place second, six behind team champion Waukee Northwest. The Little Hawks were third with 297.

City High’s Jack Rogers won medalist honors, 5-under 67. Nick Meredith and Zach Meredith added 75 and 76, respectively. Ethan Nace and Jake Mitchell shot 79, tying for the fourth score. The Little Hawks return to state for the first time since 2011.

Grant Allen tied for fourth to pace Xavier with 70. Garrett Nurre shot 73, Quincey Johnson came in at 74 and Jacob Schmit posted 75 to help Xavier advance. The Saints placed fourth at state a year ago.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Reid Hall will have a chance at defending his state title. The 2022 state medalist shot 70 to grab one of two individual berths.

Ankeny Centennial hosted a district at Briarwood Golf Club. Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Henry Sobaski placed seventh with 75 and Linn-Mar’s Christian Cloyd scored 10th with 76 to capture individual state berths.

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