Lady Warriors golf way to second round of regionals, boys season ends at districts

By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register

The Central girls golf team has moved on to the second round of regionals after finishing second out of nine teams in first round regional action last week.

Edgewood-Colesburg won the meet with a 408 team total, Central finished second with 449 and North Linn came in third with a 455 score. 

The medalist was Maddy Streicher of Ed-Co with an 80, while Madison Sylvester from Central was the runner up with a 99. 

Other scores from the Warriors were Sophia Keppler with a 112, Haley Frieden shot a 118, Alexis Fettkether finished with a 120 and Makayla Erickson ended the round with a 123. 

Sylvester finished second individually out of 44 golfers, improving 16 strokes from the conference meet the previous week. During the round, Sylvester said, “My three wood is my best friend today.” 

What highlighted the round to coach Jamie Rodenberg was that, after scoring an 8 on the par four number six, Sylvester bounced back with two straight pars. Meanwhile, Keppler intimidated her group with how far she can hit the ball, pounding it consistently down the fairways and on tee offs. Keppler also improved 16 strokes from the conference meet, and teammate Frieden improved 12 strokes. During her round, Frieden hit par on the seventh hole in both rounds, to highlight the day. In the words of coach Rodenberg, Fettkether had her finest 18-hole round of the season, improving by 14 strokes, and Erickson got 11 strokes better from the previous week. 

“Words can’t say enough from coach Smith and I about how these girls played in Colesburg. Central shot 57 strokes better as a team than we did at conference. Granted, Tri City is harder than Lone Pine. The way they handled themselves calmly and confidently, even after tough shots and holes, was impressive,” said Rodenberg. “Our Central girls golf team looked like they had experience, and did not look like a group of scared beginners. Coach Smith, others and I were very impressed with what they did at the friendly confines of Colesburg. A day that will forever live in Central Golf Happyland.” 

The girls will next play at Wapsi Oaks Country Club on May 24. 

On the boys side, Central had two players compete at the district golf meet at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls on May 21, as Tommy Seeland and Parker Smith tried to make it to state. 

It was a rainy first hour and 15 minutes, spanning about four to five holes for most of the golfers, who struggled to control the club. 

Ben Macy from AGWSR was the medalist with an 80 and Ben Hesner from East Buchanan was the runner up medalist with an 82. 

As for the Warriors, Seeland fought hard, and his round was highlighted with pars on three and 17, but putting was difficult. During the practice round, the greens were fast, and downhill putts were made all the more difficult during and after the rain, causing slower greens and making adjustments difficult. 

Smith played a good round, but started eight over par after four holes, struggling to grip the club in the rainy conditions. But Rodenberg added Smith showed his mental toughness, birdieing three of the last five holes on the back nine.

“We all knew it would be close for Smith to go to state, as the top two individuals of non-qualifying teams advance. Parker with an 84 was looking to have the second spot for state, until the last group came in with an individual that scored an 83 from Don Bosco. That hurt, but does not take away from the season Smith had,” Rodenberg said. “Smith struggled his first two meets, and after that, earned medalist or runner up medalist at all remaining dual meets. Smith was eighth in conference and fourth at sectionals.”

Seeland was runner up medalist twice during dual meets and tied for fourth at sectionals. 

“These two gentlemen have been out since their freshman year, and have done more than well,” said Rodenberg. “As I said last week, these two seniors along with Evan Pensel, Karl Gardner and Luke Asche, are five fine golfers that will be missed, but are better people that will help society. Thankfully, they came into our lives, and I look forward to seeing the great men they become.”