The Hillcrest Academy Raven golf teams begin a new campaign tonight, entertaining Columbus in a pair of Southeast Iowa Superconference duals. The Raven boys were 25-18 last season, finishing seventh at the Superconference championship meet, led by Liam Schrock’s fourth place 83. Hillcrest went on to win the Class 1A sectional championship at Lynnville-Sully, led by Rowan Miller’s 70 for the individual title and Schrock’s runner-up 73. The Raven’s season ended in districts with a fourth place finish. The Hillcrest team average was 183 on nine holes and 355 on 18. Miller and Schrock both return after holding the team lead in nine hole average, 39 and 43 respectively and 18, 77 and 83 respectively. Also returning are Phoenix Anderson, Matthew Chalupa, Rylan Good, Lawson Schrock, and Ethan Yoder.
The Raven girls were 4-26 as a team last year. They were 11th at the Superconference championship meet, led by Claire Withrow’s 33rd place 126. Hillcrest’s season was stopped with an eighth place finish in the regional opener where Brynna O’Rourke’s 120 for 16th place led. Last season, Hillcrest averaged a 320 team score on nine and 554 on 18. Withrow was the individual leader at 74 per nine holes and 128 per 18. Also returning are Izzy Frederick, Natalie Meganathan, and Ava Miller.
The Columbus boys and girls are also starting the year tonight after a Tuesday rain out. The CJ boys were 10-20 last year, finishing ninth at the Superconference meet with Kason Dopler’s 95 for 15th leading the way. The Wildcats ended the year in sixth at the sectional tournament at Springville. The Wildcats shot a 206 average per nine and 401 average per 18 last year, led by Cael Phillips 50 average on nine, and Phillips and Ryan Coil even in the lead on 18 last year at 98. Phillips and Cole Storm moved on through graduation but Kai Allec, Coil, Kason Dopler, Mason Hardy, Mason Heck and Peyton White all return.
The Columbus girls were 15-9 last season, finishing fifth at the SEISC Championships, led by Hailey Wellington’s 105 for ninth. Kinlee Brown was best at the Class 1A regional in eighth with a 106. The Wildcats had a 253 team average on nine and a 471 average on 18, led by Wellington at 53 on nine and 107 on 18. Returning along with Brown and Wellington are Aracely Garza, Jocelyn Hernandez, Madeleine Howell, Madelyn Payne.
The Columbus girls won this event last year 253-295, while the Hillcrest boys were 174-203 winners in this matchup a year ago. The Ravens and Wildcats play Thursday at 4p.m. At the Kalona Golf Course.