Kennedy’s Hargens continues hot streak with CRANDIC title

IOWA CITY — When you find Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Sierra Hargens on the course, the odds are she will be using an orange starfish ball marker with sparkles.

She made the mistake of golfing without the online purchase before, but it has become a must for each round.

'I got it about a year and a half ago,' Hargens said. 'I tried a new one and I wasn't playing good, so I got this one back out.'

Whether it was the mojo, her ability or work ethic, Hargens continued an impressive week. Just two days after tying the school's best nine-hole score, she produced one of Kennedy's best 18-hole performances.

Hargens fired 1-over par 72, capturing medalist honors and helping the Cougars capture the team title at the CRANDIC girls golf meet Wednesday at Brown Deer Golf Course. Kennedy shot 353, edging host Iowa City West by one stroke.

Hargens bettered the score of Sarah Ament, who shot 75 in 1996.

'I started off really good,' Hargens said. 'I went birdie, birdie, and birdie. Then, I'm like 'This is going to be a good day.' I shot 2-under on the front nine, so I was really excited.'

On the par-3 ninth hole, Hargens used that special ball marker to spot a tee shot that stuck less than two feet from the cup and hit the turn with her fourth birdie.

'It's fantastic,' Kennedy Coach Julie Buerman said about how well Hargens has played early this season. 'I'm at a loss for words she's been playing so good.'

Hargens closed the round on a high note. She cleared the water and left a drive six feet from the 18th green. She got up and down for her fifth birdie of the round, which helped lift the Cougars over West.

She has driven the green with wind at her back, but went for it even with a cold wind at her face in wet conditions.

'I was like I need to birdie this last hole anyway,' Hargens said. 'I just took out my driver and smoked one with a nice high little cut.'

The round had its share of setbacks. Hargens hit two balls into the water on No. 10, but still managed bogey. On the 16th, she hit out of bounds twice for a triple bogey. She rebounded each time.

'Last year, I wasn't very good about bouncing back,' Hargens said. 'This year I've been trying to keep my head in the game and don't get too stressed out.'

Buerman said that Hargens is not complacent with the recent results. Hargens keeps striving to improve. She has bigger goals left to achieve.

'I'm just going to hit every shot better,' Hargens said. 'There are at least five or six shots that could have been better.'

Kennedy's Katie Choate shot 89, while Nicole DeCoste added 91. Buerman was uncertain the last time the Cougars won the CRANDIC, noting it has been a long time.

'I'm very happy,' Buerman said. 'They have been playing very well. It was nice to see that with our first 18-hole match that they continue that play.'

West's Jordan Amelon finish runner-up, shooting 76. She carded birdies on the par-4 No. 3 hole and the par-3 14th. Avery Kout and Mackenzi Marsh shot 82 and 86, respectively, with one birdie each.

Iowa City High's Sarah Overton, last year's CRANDIC champion, placed third with 77. The Little Hawks were third with 362.

CRANDIC MEET

At Iowa City

(Brown Deer Golf Course, par 71)

Teams – 1. C.R. Kennedy 353, 2. Iowa City West 354, 3. Iowa City High 362, 4. Linn-Mar 380, 5. C.R. Xavier 400, 6. C.R. Prairie 409, 7. C.R. Washington 426, 8. C.R. Jefferson 439, 9. Marion 442.

Individuals – 1. Sierra Hargens (CRK), 72, 2. Jordan Amelon (ICW), 76, 3. Sarah Overton (ICH), 77, 4. Amy Olberding (CRX), 81, 5. Avery Kout (ICW), 82.

C.R. Kennedy (353): Hargens 72, Katie Choate 89, Nicole DeCoste 91, Val Davidson 101.

I.C. West (354): Amelon 76, Kout 82, Mackenzi Marsh 86, Andrea Morgan 110.

City High (362): Overton 77, Sky Shield 88, Rose Sadewasser 98, Lexi Sheild 99.

Linn-Mar (380): Tori Niemeyer 86, Kristen Harding 88, Alexa Mindrup 103, Danielle Gerlach 103.

C.R. Xavier (400): Olberding 81, Shelby Younggreen 98, Catie Locher 102, Kayla Brady 119.

C.R. Prairie (409): Peyton Staab 96, Lexi Poundstone 102, Emma Rubsam 105, Kaitlyn Early 106.

C.R. Washington (426): Brett Visser 88, Grace Claassen 111, Riley DeWolf 112, Devon O'Donnell 115.

C.R. Jefferson (439): Regan Grekoff 101, Emily Smith 103, Elizabeth Buchheim 116, Paige Archer 119.

Marion (442): Skyler Dede 97, Anna Martinson 111, Erin Thomason 116, Alyssa Rose 118.

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