Cougars stalk state golf title

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Kennedy golf has one final thing to accomplish.

The Cougars have been as dominant as ever, winning a seventh straight district and Mississippi Valley Conference titles. One more championship remains to obtain.

Kennedy will try to improve last year's runner-up finish at the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 4A state golf meet Friday and Saturday at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion. Cedar Rapids Washington and Cedar Rapids Xavier also qualified for the event. The first round begins at noon with the final round starting at 9:30 a.m.

The entire season has built up to this moment. All of the wins, practice rounds and chips and putts around the practice green were meant to peak for the postseason.

"We've been talking the whole year about getting to where we're playing our best at state," Kennedy junior Davis Sutton said. "It would be great to finally do that."

The Cougars may have waited a full year for this opportunity. A golden opportunity slipped away at the 2012 state meet. They grabbed a one-stroke lead after the first round, but missed Kennedy's first boys' golf state championship since 1990.

"All of us that played last year at state are very disappointed with how it ended up last year," said Sutton, who tied for sixth at state last year. "We're looking forward to it this year. I'm not saying we're going to win it this year. I'm not saying (we) expect to win it, but we really want it."

The Cougars have reached state for the seventh straight season and 10th time since 2000. They posted a 91-6 mark this year, placing third or higher at every meet. All six Kennedy golfers earned all-MVC honors, and elevated the team to third in the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association 4A rankings. Defending state champion Waukee and West Des Moines Dowling are first and second, respectively.

Sutton ranked first individually, and owns a 36.33 adjusted average. Conner Koberg is second on the team with 37.42. Cole Murdock, Ross Grekoff and Seth Nutt come in under 40. Tanner Stewart will round out the Kennedy lineup with an average a little more than 41.

"I think we're going to do the same thing we've done all season and that's try to play well," said Koberg, who tied for 10th last year. "If we win, we win, and if we don't, we don't. Just have fun and play well.

Koberg, Murdock and Grekoff joined Sutton at state a year ago. Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden said the Cougars will have to improve to complete the task.

"Having finished second a year ago with four of these kids, it really doesn't do us a darn bit of good this Friday or Saturday," Wilden said. "They all know that. What happened last year, happened last year."

The Cougars, as well as the Warriors and Saints, have the luxury of both postseason meets in their backyard. The players are quite familiar with Hunters Ridge and could be an advantage for the Metro teams. The course is a good test of golf, according to Koberg, testing a player's course management skills.

"Hunters Ridge is a course where you have to know where to put it, especially an the back nine (holes)," Koberg said. "Any team can win that meet because you have to have form and know the right shots at the right time.

Wilden didn't identify a key to claiming a state title. The most important thing might be the time they dedicate before the first round. Wilden's view of his team won't be swayed by the finish.

"If they worked hard enough, it will happen. If we haven't worked hard enough then we'll fall short," Wilden said. "One thing's for sure. I've always been very proud of this group of kids. I always have been proud and always will be proud of this group of kids. I wouldn't trade them for anything."

Washington is making its first trip to the state tournament since 2003, when Warriors co-head coach Chris James was a senior on the team. The Warriors finished second in the district at Elmcrest Country Club on Monday. James has been an asset to co-head coach Dennis Goettel, who preceded James dad, Paul, as Washington Athletics Director.

Goettel praised Chris James' contribution to the team, which allows him to play be more of a team administrator.

"Chris James has been good to work with," Goettel said. "The golfers work well with him."

The Warriors have progressively improved the last two months. Goettel said each of the Warriors have played a big part in events during the year. Dominic Rodriguez has been a leader, posting the lowest score in 11 of 13 meets.

"He's been a rock. He's our anchor," Goettel said. "Each golfer is a good story."

The Saints have qualified for the state tournament for the second straight year. They are led by seniors Matt Junge and Ben Sagers. Junge tied for 10th at state individually last year.