2013 Golf Teams to Watch

GIRLS

Cedar Rapids Xavier - The Saints return all-Metro  selections Maddie Bertsch and Grace Winker. They provide a strong nucleus for Xavier, looking to get back to the state tournament for the second time in three years. Xavier was a Mississippi Valley Conference divisional runner-up for the second straight season, finishing behind Cedar Falls in the Mississippi Division. Senior Lisa Olberding was honorable mention all-conference, while Hailey Sojka received honorable mention all-Metro honors, giving the Saints good depth.

Linn-Mar - At first glance, graduation dealt a blow to the Lions, who lost four seniors from a year ago. Linn-Mar captured the MVC Mississippi Division title, placing second in the conference Super Meet. They also reached the state meet two years ago. Junior Katie Harding was a first-team all-conference selection, Senior Emma Lorenz earned second-team all-Metro honors and Lauren Coughlin is a returning letterwinner, giving Linn-Mar a strong foundation of scorers.

Mid-Prairie - Experience and leadership make a good combination. The Golden Hawks have six of their seven golfers from last year coming back. Senior Maddie Gent and junior Courtney Cayton were all-Cedar Valley Conference performers last year, looking to improve on the team's third-place conference finish. Gent was the district medalist for Mid-Prairie, looking to get back to the state meet for first time since 2010. Seniors Leah Parrott, Shelly Palmer, Summer Gracey and junior Sydney Scarff add to an experienced lineup that is needed for tough CVC competition.

Cascade - The Cougars have a lot on the line coming into this season. Cascade has won three straight Tri-Rivers Conference titles and reached the state tournament three consecutive years. Last year was a big year, winning the conference crown by 38 strokes and winning a district team title before finishing third at state. Second-team all-state selection Aspen Lynch, who tied for ninth at the state meet, and Katie Coyle lead the way for a program having to fill some big holes in the lineup to one of the top traditions in the area. 

BOYS

Decorah - The Vikings captured the 3A state title and were dominant last year, winning the Northeast Iowa Conference title. They return a strong trio of players, who placed in the top-18 of the 2012 state meet. Michael Peter, Bryce Pierce and Peter Kephart give Decorah three scorers with nine-hole averages of 40 or better. They should maintain they're high level.

Williamsburg - The Raiders are looking to send the seniors out in perfect fashion. Williamsburg had never reached the state meet before qualifying for the last three, and seniors Drew Slings and Corbin Blythe lead the way to make it 4-for-4. The Raiders return five of last year's state team that placed second at the district meet. The expectations and standards have been raised for the program that has big potential this season.

Monticello - Good golfers graduated, but plenty of talent returns for the Panthers. All-Tri-Rivers Conference performer Tim Norton is the top player back for a squad that did lose two of its top three golfers. Five players with varsity experience - junior Ben Bollwit, seniors Sam Boyd and Michael Reuter and sophomore Ty Leibold -  with four consistently contributing last year. The Panthers have won two straight titles and are motivated to close its time in the TRC with three in a row.