Iowa high school fall golf 2022: Gazette area golfers and teams to watch

Competition for the 2022 Iowa high school fall golf season begins Thursday with the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion. Here are some Gazette-area players and teams to watch for the upcoming season.

Golfers to watch

Charlie Allen, sr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — Two-time state participant, two-time first-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division and 2020 Valley Player of the Year, two-time all-Metro honoree, 2021 state team co-ed runner-up, 2021 Rotary Pribyl runner-up, averaged 75.5 per round with 38.6 combined adjusted average.

Ben Blocklinger, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington — First-team all-MVC Mississippi, second-team all-Metro, recorded 39.17 combined adjusted averaged, shot 38.2 per nine holes and 78.5 per 18 holes.

Payton Burns, sr., Cedar Rapids Prairie — Tied for 11th at 2021 Class 4A state meet, two-time all-MVC Mississippi and all-Metro, including first-team in 2021, 2022 Rotary Pribyl champion, averaged 35.6 and 76.6 with 38.18 combined adjusted average.

Reid Hall, jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Two-time state participant, tying for 11th in 2021, two-time first-team all-MVC Valley and 2021 MVC Valley Player of the Year, two-time all-Metro player, led MVC Valley in all scoring averages with 35.33 per nine, 73.0 per 18 holes and 36.73 combined adjusted average.

Quincey Johnson, jr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — 2020 state participant, two-time all-MVC Valley Division player, including first-team honors in 2021, second-team all-Metro, averaged 38.8 per nine, 79.75 for 18 holes with 40.17 combined adjusted average.

Logan Miller, sr., Cedar Rapids Jefferson — MVC Valley divisional medalist, two-time all-MVC Valley, earning second-team in 2021, honorable mention all-Metro in 2021, shot 39.4 per nine holes and 80.88 per 18 holes with 41.36 combined adjusted average.

Caden Postma, sr., Linn-Mar — Two-time state participant, tying for 21st in 2021, first-team all-Metro, 2022 Rotary Pribyl runner-up, averaged 76.17 (18 holes) and 37.5 (nine holes) with a 37.76 combined adjusted average.

Tanner Wachtl, jr., Cedar Rapids Prairie — Two-time state participant, two-time first-team all-Metro and second-team all-MVC Mississippi, averaged 36 per nine holes and 75.89 for 18 holes with 38.10 combined adjusted average.

Brock Wilson, soph., Western Dubuque — 2021 4A state qualifier, honorable mention all-MVC Mississippi, averaged 38.75 per nine holes, 79.22 per 18 and posted 39.87 combined adjusted average.

Teams to watch

Cedar Rapids Jefferson — The J-Hawks were improved a year ago and could make another jump this season. They finished third in the MVC Valley, placing behind Cedar Rapids Kennedy, which placed seventh at state, and Cedar Rapids Xavier. Jefferson should have an experienced team full of seniors, including Logan Miller, Landon and Logan Augustine and Adam Panoch, who each had a combined adjusted average less than 42.9 and earned all-conference recognition.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy — For most programs, this would be a rebuilding season. The Cougars have won two straight MVC Valley crowns. They also graduated five seniors. Only two starters are back, but they are very good ones in Player of the Year Reid Hall and Brody Gilkison. Kennedy usually develops depth. If they can find a couple scorers to support their top two, the Cougars will be competitive again.

Cedar Rapids Prairie — The Hawks return everyone from last year’s lineup that placed ninth at state. They have reached the state tournament each of the past two seasons. Tanner Wachtl and Payton Burns are a strong 1-2 scoring combo, finishing third and first, respectively, at the Pribyl. Ashton Carmer made an impact last season as the third-best scorer. The Hawks have balance and talent to reach state.

Cedar Rapids Xavier — The Saints return five starters, who all earned all-MVC Valley honors. Charlie Allen is a strong No. 1 with a low score. Senior Ryan Schmit and juniors Quincey Johnson and Grant Nurre give Xavier strong depth. Sophomore Grant Allen provides another scoring option. A trio of freshmen could step into the starting lineup.