Kennedy captures MVC Mississippi Division title

The elements were tough but the Cedar Rapids Kennedy golfers were even tougher.

Rain and wind affected play, shortening the final round of the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division meet to nine holes, but it couldn't stop the Cougars from winning the team title Monday at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo.

Kennedy shot 150, finishing with a three-round total of 714. Iowa City High was a distant second in the final round with 164, but finished four shots back of Linn-Mar in the overall standings. The Lions posted 167, placing second overall with 749, and Linn-Mar's Tyler McCann earned MVC Mississippi Division Athlete of the Year honors with a 175 three-round total.

"It was a battle," Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden said about his team performance in the rough conditions. "I'm very proud of my guys for what they did.

"The conditions were not ideal."

The Cougars entered Monday with commanding 18-stroke lead, but didn't relax and coast to the division championship. They almost double their lead. It gained praise from Wilden.

"We went out and won it," Wilden said. "That's what a championship team has to do if you're going to compete and contend at the state level. I'm proud of them for doing that."

Rain postponed the MVC Valley Division meet at Airport National, rescheduling it for Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. The field for the Mississippi division was not allowed to have a shotgun start - groups starting play on different tees - and each starting at Hole No. 1. Some completed all 18 holes, but other rounds were cut short to the weather. Scores from the front nine were the only ones recorded.

"Most everyone made it through nine," Wilden said. "They said that's enough."

Kennedy's Mitchell Martin carded a 2-under par 34, which was the best score posted on the front nine. Cougar teammates Jake Wilding was second with a 38 and Brigham Stewart and Conner Koberg each shot 39. Martin and Cody Bell, who shot 40 Monday, tied for second overall with a three-round score of 176.

"Mitchell had an outstanding day," Wilden said. "Very pleased to see him do that ... He's always had that potential, but it's good to see him peaking right now."

The Cougars placed all six golfers on all-conference teams. Bell, Martin and Stewart earn first-team honors by placing in the top-seven after all three rounds. Wilding, Harrison and Koberg received second-team honors, going to the next seven scorers and ties.

"The unique thing, and I've had a lot of good teams and some great teams, but none of those teams had all six guys finish either first or second team all conference," said Wilden, who received Coach of the Year honors. "I think that's something the kids should be proud of."

McCann held the individual lead after winning medalist honors in the second round. he shot 40 Monday and held off Bell and Martin by one stroke. He said he was happy with his play, despite the weather.

"It's great to hold the lead going into the last day," said McCann, a senior. "I thought I played well all three rounds. It's a great accomplishment for me."

McCann was joined on the first-team by teammate Trevor Berry, who shot 44 for third round giving him a 187 total.

Iowa City High's Grant Simpson and Ryan Duncan finished fifth and tied for sixth, respectively. Simpson finished with 184, while Duncan had 187.

MVC Mississippi Divisonal Golf Meet

At Waterloo

(Gates Park G.C., par 72)

Final Round

Teams

1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy 150-714; 2. Linn-Mar 167-749; 3. Iowa City High 164-753; 4. Waterloo West 168-774; 5. Cedar Rapids Washington 165-785; 6. Dubuque Wahlert 168-806; 7. Dubuque Senior 174-829

Top 5 Individuals

1. Tyler McCann LM, 40-175; 2. Cody Bell CRK 40-176, Mitchell Martin CRK, 34-176; 4. Brigham Stewart CRK, 39-178; 5. Grant Simpson ICH, 41-184.

C. R. Kennedy - T1. Cody Bell 40-176, Mitchell Martin 34-176, 2. Brigham Stewart 39-178, 4. Jake Wilding 38-188 5. Harrison Moore 41-189, 6. Conner Koberg 39-192. Linn Mar - 1. Tyler McCann 40-175, 2. Trevor Barry 44-187, 3. Clay Vieth 42-193, 4. Mark Drake 45-201, 5. Trevor McCann 41-203, 6. Kyle Hackett 44-207; I.C. High - 1. Grant Simpson 41-184, 2. Ryan Duncan 41-187; 3. Patrick Jordan 43-191, Nate Goddard 40-192, 5. Trent Bedford 42-203, 6. Zach MacMillan 44-206; C.R. Washington - 1. John Kopec 43-119, 2. Dominic Rodriguez 43-190, 3. Austin Bergstrom 39-196, 4. Matt Strand 40-204; 5. Zach Gothard 44-208, 6. Jon Landis 50-218.

MVC DIVISONAL TEAMS

First Team

Tyler McCann LM, Cody Bell CRK, Mitchell Martin CRK, Brigham Stewart CRK, Grant Simspon CRK, Trevor Berry LM, Ryan Duncan ICH.

Second Team

Jake Wilding CRK, Harrison Moore CRK, Dominic Rodriguez CRW, Patrick Jordan ICH, Austin Jackson WW, Christian Rapp DW, Tom Ritcher WW, Nate Goddard ICH, Conner Koberg CRK.

Honorable Mention

Clay Vieth LM, Austin Bergstrom CRW, Trent Bedford ICH, Trevor McCann LM, Will Shirey WW, Nick Rafferty WW, Matt Strand CRW