Warriors, Lindwall win second straight MVC divisional golf title

Cedar Rapids Washington achieved one of its main goals and will turn its focus toward another that comes with the postseason.

The Warriors claimed their second straight divisional title Monday, winning the third and final round of Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division competition at Gates Park in Waterloo.

Washington edged Cedar Rapids Xavier, 311-312, for a convincing 22-stroke victory over the runner-up Saints in the 54-hole format. The Warriors finished with a 911 overall team total. Frank Lindwall earned divisional Golfer of the Year honors with a three-round score of 227, including 2-over 74 at Gates Park.

'It's been a great season and a great team win (Monday),” Lindwall said. 'We're really looking forward to districts and hopefully the state meet.”

Washington had won the previous two rounds, firing one of its best scores with a 295 in the MVC Super Meet to start the season. The Warriors entered the last round with a comfortable 21-stroke advantage, but they viewed it as a different test.

'We take a new look on every single meet,” Gonder said. 'We have a new take regardless of whether it's an MVC meet or just a triangular in town. We look at it like the next important meet and we just need to play well no matter how big our lead is coming into it. We just play without being complacent in where we were but striving to get better and play as best we could that day.”

The Warriors' Alex Slattery and Logan Bracey finished tied for second overall at 232, while Gonder and Connor Neighbors both had 240 totals.

Washington has displayed good depth all season. Lindwall's score wasn't even used for the team's Super Meet total. He said all six Warriors can provide the best round on any given day, making it a special squad.

'The theme of the year has been everyone contributing and playing well,” Lindwall said. 'We haven't relied on the top four because all six of us are equally capable of posting a score. Everyone has worked hard and gotten better. I think that is really showing for our overall depth.”

The Sants' Sam Martin and Mitch King finished in a three-way tie with Cedar Rapids Prairie's Ian Johnston for second in the third round. Martin, a first-team all-conference golfer last year, tied for second overall. King and Luke Winker were fifth and sixth, respectively.

Cedar Rapids Prairie was third overall with 973, shooting 314 Monday.

The divisional championship helps build momentum for the next goal on the list. Washington will play a district meet Tuesday at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City with state berths on the line.

'It kind of gives us confidence to keep getting better and working on what we need to work on,” Gonder said. 'We need to get ready for districts coming up.

'It gives us an extra boost to get through this (mentally) long season.”

LINN-MAR WINS VALLEY

At the start, a divisional title seemed like a bit of a stretch for Linn-Mar. The Lions were fourth and six strokes back of the team leader, holding a one-stroke edge on two teams tied behind them. They made steady progress throughout the season and now boast a Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division crown.

The Lions recorded a 302 team score, topping Dubuque Wahlert by five strokes, Monday at The Meadows Golf Club in Dubuque.

The performance eclipsed a four-stroke deficit and beat the Golden Eagles by one, 943-944.

The Lions were led by Jack Recker, who carded 73. Jake Sevcik shot 77 for a 233 three-round total. He earned first-team all-division honors, along with teammates Max Thrune (234) and Brent Larson (238).

Iowa City West's J.D. Goodfellow was medalist with 72 and was Valley Golfer of the Year with a total of 220.

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