Xavier girls claim regional crown

WAVERLY - Nature held off the rain and Cedar Rapids Xavier held off the field.

The Saints had no problem celebrating indoors after clinching a second straight state tournament berth.

Xavier captured the team title at the Iowa High School Athletic Union Class 4A golf regional Tuesday at Waverly Municipal Golf Course. The Saints beat Charles City by 16 strokes, earning their third trip to state in four years.

They were at their best at the right time.

'Every one of them improved their score,” Xavier Coach Julie Kadlec said. 'Even the fourth, fifth and sixth golfers improved their scores and shot season lows.

'It is a real advantage when they can kick it in here in the postseason.”

Xavier has waited for this opportunity since last year's postseason. After a distant runner-up finish to Charles City in a rain-shortened state meet last year, the Saints have been focused on moving one more spot up those final standings and bring gold back to school.

'It's been one of our goals to take it all,” Xavier senior Grace Winker said. 'We came up short last year, so that was one of our main goals coming into the season.”

The Saints advance to the state tournament June 2-3 at Ames Golf and Country Club. Securing their place at state and beating the defending state champion provided a boost of confidence and a chance to relax.

'It takes a little pressure off,” Winker said. 'We already made it here. It's just one step out of the way and there was tough competition here. It was reassuring that we can score well.”

As the scores trickled in Tuesday, the team race seemed tight between Xavier, Charles City and host Waverly-Shell Rock, vying for two spots. The Saints' depth tipped the scales in their favor, posting four scores of 88 or better.

'We've talked all season that every one of them needs to remember they are fighting for the team,” Kadlec said. 'If they fight for the team, then their individual scores will show up.”

Maddie Bertsch led the Saints with a 77, finishing in a three-way tie for best score but placing third after cardback tiebreakers. Grace Winker added an 80 to earn fourth. Catie Locher carded 87, while Amy Olberding shot 88.

The 'team first” approach helped maintain composure, knowing you can still pitch in for the team if you stumble individually.

'It helps me knowing that if I'm not having my best round that I can still help the team out,” Winker said. 'It doesn't matter how many strokes I can shave off.”

State will be the final meet for a core group of seniors who have elevated the Saints program. Bertsch, Winker and Kara Zwanziger have been key contributors and will attempt to end their prep careers with a state title.

'The three seniors really have vested interest to get that state title,” Kadlec said. 'Competition is a natural thing for the kids to do their very best. They have really strove to get that this year.”

Cedar Rapids Washington's M.J. Kamin shot a 2-over 74 to capture medalist honors in a 5A regional at Palmer Hills Municipal Golf Course. Kamin, who will golf at Iowa State next season, qualified for her third straight state meet. She will look for her third top-12 finish, placing sixth last season. Iowa City West placed second with a 364 at Bettendorf to advance.

Linn-Mar returns to state for the first time in three seasons, winning a regional title at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls. The Lions fired a 339, winning by 12 strokes over Dubuque Hempstead. Linn-Mar's Laura Coughlin was medalist with 78 and teammate, Teresa Lopez Moreno, ended in a three-way tie with a 79. Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Sierra Hargens also shot 79 to tie for second and qualify for the state meet.

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