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Raider girls’ golf team repeats as WaMaC West champs
By Joe Petz/The Hometown Current
May. 8, 2023 9:49 am
The conditions — windy and cold — were the same for everyone but Williamsburg found a way to deal with elements better than anyone, repeating as WaMaC West Division girls' golf champions Monday, May 1, at Tara Hills Country Club, Van Horne.
As their push carts were being toppled all day by the high winds, and temperatures in the low 40s — it seemed like the 20s — the Raiders found a way to get the job done despite being without their No. 1 player, sophomore Jaisel Bott.
Williamsburg coach Todd Subbert said Bott had to take an AP test and the only other day to do it was the Raiders' state qualifying regional tournament May 17, noting her missing the conference divisional meet was a "no brainer."
Sophomore Mallory Jones stepped up in Bott's absence and in her first varsity meet played her best nine holes ever, shooting a 47 on the par 36 course to share medalist honors with senior teammate Kaylee Culp.
"Mallory is an up and comer," Subbert said. "She's been a solid player but couldn't break the lineup. She got fitted for some clubs and has been trending hard since."
Subbert noted Culp, who has been at the top of the Raiders' leaderboard all season, set the tone for his team's victory, and Jones was superb tying her for meet medalist.
Senior Emma Malloy and junior Julianne Miller both added 53s for Williamsburg, giving them a 200 team total, 13 shots better than second place Clear Creek Amana's 213. Center Point-Urbana (216) and Benton Community (217) followed third and fourth.
Junior Drew Schropp and freshman Kenzi Driscoll each carded a 61 to round out the Raiders' championship squad.
Subbert said he's not a weather comment guy but pointed out, "it was ridiculously windy. Considering that I was really impressed with our play."
Up next for the Raiders is the WaMaC Super Meet, played Monday at Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg, and the Class 3A regionals May 17 at Twin Pines Golf Course, Cedar Rapids, where Williamsburg will be shooting for it's fifth straight trip to state.
Boys fourth in west division
On the same day, playing in the same conditions, Williamsburg placed fourth in the WaMaC West Divisional boys' championship at Amana Colonies Golf Course.
The Raiders shot a 181 to finish two strokes behind co runners-up Center Point-Urbana and Vinton-Shellsburg, both with a 179. Clear Creek Amana won with a 164.
Sophomore Robbie Allison led Williamsburg with a 42, the fifth low score in the tournament out of 24 players. Junior Bryce Yearian added a 45, tying for eighth place, and junior Crew Klinger and freshman Cooper Bott each shot a 47 to share 13th place.
Seniors Zach Glandorf and Trey O'Neil rounded out the Raiders' play with a 50 and 53, respectively. Glandorf was coming off his two best scores this season, a 36 and 35.
Vinton-Shellsburg senior Nash Arbuckle was medalist with a one-under-par 35. Senior Carson Fox, Clear Creek Amana, was runner-up with a 38.
Host sectionals
Williamsburg was scheduled to play in the WaMaC Super Meet Monday at Pin Oak Pub and Links, Manchester, and Wednesday, May 10, will host a Class 2A sectional at Stone Creek Golf Club.