Washington claims Mississippi Division golf title

In 1994, Forrest Gump played in theatres, Friends joined the TV landscape and Jose Maria Olazabal edged Tom Lehman to win The Masters.

The year was also the last time Cedar Rapids Washington claimed a conference boys' golf title, which was well before the current Warriors were born.

After a long absence, Washington returned to the top. The Warriors won the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division team title Monday, shooting 292 at Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course. They edged Cedar Rapids Xavier by three strokes.

'They were excited,” Cedar Rapids Washington Coach Dennis Goettel said. 'It is a position we haven't been in where we've been on top for a big meet like this, so everybody felt real good about it.”

The situation was more tense during play. Washington and Xavier entered the round tied. Goettel said everyone started on the first hole and finished in waves. The two teams alternated advantages until the final two sets of golfers finished. Joe Slattery and Evan Jankwietz posted scores that swung it in favor of the Warriors.

'We had really good depth,” said Goettel, adding, 'Our fifth and sixth guys came in with 76. That was the difference.”

Washington's Frank Lindwall earned medalist honors, firing a 6-under par 66. Jake Patterson added a 74. Lindwall was tabbed MVC Mississippi Division Player of the Year, posting a three-round total of 199 consisting of the MVC Super Meet and two divisional events. Lindwall ranks second in Class 4A in 18-hole average (70.71) and combined adjusted average (36.86).

'He's been so dependable,” said Goettel, who shared Coach of the Year honors with Washington co-head coach Chris James and their staff. 'The last half of the year he has been under par as much as he's been over par. It's just tremendous to have that.”

The Warriors have had a complete balanced team, extending beyond their top six golfers. Patterson and Will Jackson joined Lindwall as first-team all-Mississippi performers. Jabe Gonder made the second team.

Goettel said hard work during the off-season and this fall has paid dividends for Washington, which qualified for the state meet last year. More work awaits as the Warriors try to finish strong again.

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

Washington will compete in a 4A district Tuesday at Hunters Ridge in Marion.

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