Local golfers prepare for district competition

The ride is much smoother when the horse is in front of the cart.

So, Cedar Rapids Kennedy will take things in order as they come. Before the Cougars get a chance to improve two straight Class 4A state golf meet runner-up finishes, the focus is set to playing their best with a berth at stake.

Some of the top teams will compete in the Iowa High School Athletic Association 4A district meet Tuesday at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion. The Cougars will attempt to claim an eighth straight trip to the state tournament.

The 13-team field hosted by Linn-Mar includes Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Prairie, Cedar Rapids Washington, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Iowa City High, Iowa City West, Ottumwa, Waterloo public schools and Western Dubuque. The top three teams and top four individuals, including all fourth-place ties, advance to the state meet Friday and Saturday at Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City.

The Cougars are trying to improve their overall consistency, preparing for crucial postseason moments.

'We're trying to get better at our game,” Kennedy senior Conner Koberg said after the team claimed the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division last week. 'We're trying to practice that as much as we can.”

Kennedy has been led by a core group of players the last three seasons. They are seniors now with their last shot at a state title. Davis Sutton has multiple top-10 state finishes and is a two-time MVC divisional player of the year. Koberg was MVC divisional player of the year as a sophomore. Cole Murdock is a first-team all-conference performer with state experience. Tanner Stewart, Ross Grekoff and Seth Nutt have been key components to the Cougars' depth and balance.

'I think we have a pretty good mix,” Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden said. 'We're definitely going to be in the mix for district and state. We're optimistic.”

The level of success the Cougars have enjoyed has not been easy, but it has seemed that way at times. They are motivated to continue Kennedy's tradition.

'Is it important that we win district?” Wilden asked. 'We don't have to win district, but it makes it nice that you do, because we have that strong going.

'Is it easy? No. All we haven't done is win state.”

Not to be outdone. Washington and Xavier look to return to the state meet. Ottumwa and Linn-Mar are also top contenders.

The Warriors made a lot of progress at the end of last season, reaching state for the first time since 2003. Washington is coming off its first conference title in 20 years and led by one of the state's top golfers, Frank Lindwall, who tied for 10th at state last fall as a freshman.

'We know the district is going to be really tough and competitive,” Washington Coach Dennis Goettel said last week. 'We know we have to keep working.”

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