West Delaware gets another champion

MANCHESTER - This year wasn't going to be the same.

Last season, the West Delaware boys' golf team found success through many tournament titles, including the Wamac Conference crown. The Hawks were hoping to keep the momentum going, but fell short in the district meet in 2013.

Things changed this spring.

The Hawks experienced similar success, but they were determined to make it all the way to Ames to contend for the Class 3A state title.

That's exactly what they did.

After being crowned sectional champions, the Hawks were on the road to Ames and the state tournament. The Hawks traveled to the Waverly Municipal Golf Course to contend for a district title and punch their ticket to the state tournament.

An old foe stood in the way, however, of West Delaware's hope of a state berth. Decorah was a favorite in the district.

Led by sophomore Clayton Larsen, the Hawks toppled the Vikings by two strokes, which qualified the team for the state tournament.

Once the team made it to Ames for the two-day state tournament, the Hawks golfed one of their best rounds of the year, staying focused on the goal of becoming state champions and bringing home some hardware. The Hawks led the field by 14 strokes after the first round with a solid 301, followed by Creston/O-M's 315.

With such a big lead, the Hawks could have relaxed but instead put more pressure on the competition. West Delaware continued with some of its best golf of the season and came out on top of the competition with a 622 total, locking in the first golf state title in West Delaware history.

Larsen finished second in the field of 60 with a two-round score of 144. Junior Harrison Guetzko also finished in the top 10 in eighth place with 153. Other members of the team were Bryce Frick, sophomore, 158; Jake Gritzner, senior, 169; Carter Frick, senior, 171; and Trent Shaw, freshman; 181.

The Hawks made history this season, yet more than half of the team returns next year to repeat their state championship in Ames.

This year's state title gave Manchester another sport to focus on as the best of the best, joinign football, volleyball, bowling and wrestling. The West Delaware boys' golf team now goes down in history as being the best of the best, adding its mark to the legendary trophy cases at West Delaware High School.

Editor's note: Here is your chance to tell your story about your team, your school or your favorite player. If you'd like to join The Gazette's growing list of high school contributors, contact J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com