HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Xavier golf blazed new trails

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By Daniel Vega, Xavier senior

CEDAR RAPIDS - As the season comes to a close and the state tournament wraps up, the Xavier boys' golf team ends a memorable run.

'I was able to tell Matt, Ben, John and Jordan prior to them teeing off at this year's state tournament that I was a little bit jealous,' Coach Tim O'Brien said. 'The reason being is that they were going to get to do something I never accomplished as a player and that was the opportunity to play in two Iowa high school boys' golf state tournaments.

"That was a very memorable moment for me.'O'Brien had two goals for the team. He wanted the Saints to win their third consecutive MVC Valley divisional title and qualify for and compete in back-to-back state tournaments as a team.

'By accomplishing both of those goals, these young men continue to blaze new trails for the Xavier boys golf program,' O'Brien said.

The Saints finished their season at the state tournament at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion. They shot a 663 and finished 10th out of 12 teams.

The team battled for the championship along side fellow Mississippi Valley Conference foes Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Cedar Rapids Washington.

With this season in the books, O'Brien has his eyes set on next year with some new goals. He also will have some new players he will need help from.

'We have a number of players currently in the program or possibly that will just be getting started at Xavier that will have the opportunity to fill the vacancies left in our line-up by the graduating senior class,' O'Brien said.