M-P boys golf team loses to West Branch, wins over Louisa-Muscatine

Both the Mid-Prairie and West Branch golf teams played well in the wet conditions Monday, April 3, at Kalona.

West Branch won the River Valley Conference dual by one stroke over Mid-Prairie 180-181.

Senior Duncan McCain led the Golden Hawks with a great score of 41 to earn Medalist honors for the second-straight meet.

His round was highlighted by four pars and a birdie three on the par-4 fourth hole.

Freshman Noah Schlabaugh turned in a great round of 42 and tied for runner-up honors.

He made two pars and birdie 4 on the par-5 seventh hole.

Juniors Collin Gingerich and Ryan Slaubaugh each shot 49. All four golfers improved their scores from the first meet.

?I am really pleased with how Duncan has played all ready this season,? said coach Kelby Bender.

?At the end of last season he set some goals for this year. He  worked hard and played a lot of golf over the summer. It is great to see his hard work paying off by being the medalist in our first two meets.

?I am also impressed with how freshman Noah Schlabaugh bounced back after the first meet and played well today.

?He was a little nervous the first meet and did not play as well as he wanted. Earning runner-up honors in just your second varsity meet is a great accomplishment.?

A day after a close one-stroke loss to West Branch, the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks bounced back to beat L-M 177-193.

It was the Golden Hawks? lowest score of the season and first win of the season.

Senior Duncan McCain led the Golden Hawks and was the meet medalist with a career-low 39.

He had five pars and four bogeys on the par-35 course. One of his goals for the season was to shoot in the 30s.

?It is great to see him check off that goal this early in the season,? Bender said.

?I am really excited with how steady he is playing. He has been the medalist in all three meets so far this season.  Each meet he has lowered his score.

Junior Ryan Slaubaugh and freshman Noah Schlabaugh both shot 43 and tied for runner-up medalist.

?That is two in a row for Noah,? Bender said. ?He is doing a great job of working hard on his game and improving each day.

?Ryan is also doing a great job for us.  He is a great leader and a steady player for us.?