Schlabaugh leads Golden Hawks to 2nd at RVC

RIVERSIDE - The Mid-Prairie High School boys golf team competed in the River Valley Conference meet Tuesday at Blue Top Ridge during an overcast windy day.

The Golden Hawks finished runner-up to West Branch in the 14-team RVC meet with a 342.

Three Mid-Prairie golfers earned all-conference honors with their play at a tough par-72 course.

Junior Noah Schlabaugh led the way for the Golden Hawks with a 40-37 for a 77 total to finish tied for second in the individual standings. His play earned him Elite All-Conference honors.

Schlabaugh started slow with a cold putter as he was 4-over through six holes. Over the next 10 holes, he downed nine pars and a birdie-4 on the par-5 12th hole.

'He didn't get off to the start he wanted, but he kept grinding,” Mid-Prairie coach Kelby Bender said. 'I and proud of how he stuck with it and was able to finish well.”

Junior Monte Slabaugh garnered All-Conference honors with his rounds of 40-44 for an 84. He tied for eighth out of 80 golfers. He played the front nine holes well, making 6 pars.

'Monte has played steady all year for us,” Bender said. 'To see him play well at conference and finish eighth is great.”

Senior Ryan Smit played well enough to earn Honorable Mention All-Conference as he tied for 20th with rounds of 46-44 for a 90.

'He didn't quite have the round he wanted, but he fought hard and didn't give up,” Bender said. 'It is great to see him finish his career on the All-Conference team. He has played well for us.”

Senior Chaz Patterson rounded out the scoring with a 45-46 for a 91. He tied for 24th. His round was highlighted with five pars.

'I am proud of how he stepped into the varsity lineup this year and gave us some good scores,” Bender said.

Even the two that didn't score played good rounds of golf. Both are sophomores and gained valuable experience for the next couple of years. Dominic McCain shot 48-45 for a 93 and tied for 29th. Kayden Reinier shot 50-51 for a 101 and tied for 51st. Both are first-year varsity players.

'They have showed great improvement throughout the season,” Bender said.

Mid-Prairie's postseason begins in the Class 2A Williamsburg Sectional meet at 10 a.m. Friday at Stone Creek. Other teams are Albia, Davis County, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, PCM, Pella Christian and Pleasantville. Teams and individuals advance to the May 17 Wapello District at Heritage Oaks.

Two teams advance unless one of the teams is the host school, then three teams advance.

The top two overall individual players (plus ties) at each site from among the non-qualifying teams will advance from each Sectional to District tournament. Similarly, the top two overall individual players (plus ties) at each site from among the non-qualifying teams will advance from each District to the state tournament.

TEAM SCORES 1. West Branch 324, 2. Mid-Prairie 342, 3. Tipton 347, 4. Monticello 349, 5. Iowa City Regina 359, 6. (tie) Durant & Wilton 360, 8. Anamosa 368, 9. Northeast 379, 10. Cascade 385, 11. North Cedar 398, 12. Camanche 412, 13. Bellevue 424 14. West Liberty had no team score.