The second biggest story in Hillcrest Academy sports from last year takes us to the links for another decorated season of Raven golf.

Under the direction of first year co-head coaches, Adam and Warren Yoder, the Hillcrest Academy boys golf team opened the year on a hot streak at 10-0, including a team triangular title over Lone Tree and Highland and a Wapello Invitational Championship, shooting 163 and 330 respectively as a team, with senior Liam Schrock winning individual titles at both events, shooting even par and one over respectively. The Ravens were fourth of 15 as a group at the Southeast Iowa Superconference Championships at Wapello, carding a team total of 345. Schrock and Rowan Miller finished third in the SEISC with their matching scores of 79.

The Ravens put it altogether with a big postseason run. They started with a third place sectional finish at BGM, shooting a team score 330 to advance, Liam Schrock at 73, Rowan Miller 74, Matthew Chalupa 89, Lawson Schrock and Rylan Good 94 and Ethan Yoder 97. At Districts, the banner went home with Hillcrest, clinching a bid to the Class 1A State meet with a team title, over representatives from 20 other schools on a team score of 346. Liam Schrock won the individual district title with a three-over-par 75 that included three birdies. Rowan Miller was fourth at 79. Ethan Yoder had 95, Lawson Schrock 97, Matthew Chalupa and Rylan Good 100 each.

1A State was held in Waterloo. In the field of 12 teams, the Ravens shot 338 on the first day of the event, placing them seventh going into the final 18. On day two, the Ravens went lower, shooting a team score 330 to move to fourth place and take home team medals. Individually, Liam Schrock led the way, finishing with a flourish, following a day one three-over 75, by seeing red on day two, with a one-under-par 71 that included a 32 on the final nine with a pair of eagles and a birdie to take second in the state, one shot off the title. Rowan Miller made top 10 individually for Hillcrest with a 153 that included scores of 76 and 77 in the two day event. Other Raven players included Rylan Good 183, Lawson Schrock 186, Matthew Chalupa 192 and Ethan Yoder 198. Schrock and Miller were both named to the Class 1A All-State Tournament team, Schrock first team and Miller second. The Ravens ended the season with a 35-8 overall record.

Tomorrow our countdown concludes with the top story in Hillcrest sports from last year and a trip to the baseball diamond.