Impressive class looks for final shot at state title

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden has coached some very good teams in more than 15 years.

Even though he won't proclaim which is the best, the current Cougars have a chance to rise to the top of the list. The decorated senior class earned two consecutive runner-up finishes and extended Kennedy's streaks to seven straight Mississippi Valley Conference crowns and six consecutive district titles.

'I'm just really pleased with how they have taken care of business over the years,” Wilden said. 'I have nothing but positive feelings for what we're going to have for this season.”

The Cougars will look to win the lone championship that has eluded them the last two seasons. Kennedy opens competition with the MVC Super Meet today at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo, beginning at noon.

'Our kids have competed at a very high level,” Wilden said. 'These guys are prepared to do that again.

'If we win, that's great. That will be very satisfying. We would rejoice in that. If we finish second, they're going to give credit to the team that finishes first.”

Ankeny Centennial denied the Cougars last season. Most programs would jump at trading spots with Kennedy, but the Cougars were slightly frustrated with more silver. Time soothed the sting, but more relief could come with a state title.

'Finishing second the last two years is hard to keep off our minds,” Kennedy's Ross Grekoff said. 'We'll worry about it as it gets closer.”

Success is expected to continue with six talented seniors, who all played in the state tournament, and a few underclassmen that could contend for playing time. They have an edge on opponents, excelling in the biggest meets against the top golfers.

'You can't beat having the experience,” Wilden said. 'That's huge.

'We've played the best teams in the state. These guys have all gotten to do that the last three years.”

Wilden has guided seven straight teams to the state tournament and four state runner-up teams. This team rivals the 2001 team that placed second in 4A.

'These guys are as good as they were,” Wilden said. 'I wouldn't say either of these teams are better than the other one. I would say it would be a really fun to have both play against each other.”

The lineup is loaded with accomplished competitors, including Conner Koberg, who placed fifth at state last year, and Davis Sutton, who has placed in the top-six each of the last two seasons. Cole Murdock is one of the Cougars best scorers. Tanner Stewart, Seth Nutt and Grekoff close out the senior class determined to close their prep careers with a bang.

'We have a team of guys hungry after what has happened,” Grekoff said. 'We're going to go out and do everything we can to take one home.”

Depth, balance and unity allows the Cougars to rely on one another on the course. They promote a team-first mentality, realizing if they stumble there is a Cougar ready to pick a teammate up.

'It takes some of the unnecessary pressure off,” Sutton said. 'We believe in each other and focus on the team out there.”

The Cougars aren't taking anything for granted. They certainly could considering their dominance in previous seasons. The philosophy is to progress with each event and attempt to peak for the postseason, specifically the state meet.

'We're just going out and looking to win everything we play in,” Sutton said. 'We don't think there is a meet out there we can't win this year.

'I think we're going to have a pretty good season ahead of us.”

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