Today is the big day for the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk boys and girls golf teams, starting the season with matching River Valley Conference duals against Iowa City Regina.
The Golden Hawk boys were 45-20 a season ago, their most wins since 2019. The Hawks really hit their stride in the championship portion of their season, finishing second at the River Valley Conference Championship meet as a team, led by individual RVC champ Bryce Henry’s round of 73 in Muscatine. Henry was the first Hawk to win the individual title since 2006. Henry, Denver Nelson, Hudson Ehrenfelt and Ace Peck were All-RVC. Head coach Kelby Bender was named RVC Coach of the Year. The team’s season ended in fifth place at sectionals but, Henry and Grayson Gingerich advanced to districts individually. A season ago, the Hawks had a 166 team average on nine with a 156 low and a 331 average on 18 with a 314 low. Mid-Prairie returns five of their varsity six from last year, including leader by the numbers Denver Nelson with his 42 average per nine and 85 on 18. This week, Golden Hawk head coach Kelby Bender talked with KCII Sports about what has him most excited for the season.
Bender said, “I think it’s our depth and competitiveness. These guys played a lot of golf over the summer and they all want a spot in the lineup. You’ll have competition for those spots. You’ll have depth where if someone is struggling a little bit we can find someone in the lineup and see what we’ve got. They want to win, they want to play hard, compete with each other and do well for us.”
The Golden Hawk girls put together a 46-8 season a year ago. They were best in the invitational format, winning their home 18-hole Golden Hawk Invitational for the first time since 2014, led by Morgyn Bender’s 91. Finishing runner-up at the River Valley Conference Championships with Bender, Addison English, Olivia Swartzentruber and Lilly Miller placing All-Conference. The Hawks also won their Regional Opener at home to start the 2A playoffs, led by Swartzentruber’s third place round. The Hawk’s season closed in the 2A Regional Final at West Liberty. Mid-Prairie had a 189 per nine team average with a low 182 and a 390 per 18 team average and 377 low. The Golden Hawks will have to replace one of their statistical leaders from last year, with English leading at 46 per nine, but Bender is back with her team best 94 per 18 mark. The Golden Hawk girls are listed as Honorable Mention in the first poll of the year from the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association. This week, head coach Tracy McArtor joined KCII Sports to talk about what has him excited for the upcoming year.
McArtor said, “I think just the experience that they have as a group, even after graduating a couple of kids. The success that they’ve had. I think they will thrive on that and I look for the veterans to take the younger kids under their wing and show them the ropes. I think that will bring them along even quicker. It’s nice to have that level of leadership on the team.”
The Regina girls went 2-44 last year, with a 246 team average per nine and 231 low and a 478 per 18 average and a 463 low. They return leader Mel Kirk who averaged 52 per nine as a sophomore. With the loss of Cora Boblenz to graduation, Kirk is also the leader back on 18 with a 114 average. Mid-Prairie beat Regina 197-250 last season. For the Regal boys it was a 32-16 campaign, holding a team average on nine of 165 and a low 152 with a 329 group average on 18 and low 317. Daniel Clark led as a sophomore with a 40 average on nine, another sophomore Luke Klingeman was best on 18 at 81. The Hawks beat the Regals head-to-head 165-170 last season. Action in both meets starts this afternoon at 4p.m. And continues into the evening, with the girls in Kalona and the boys in Iowa City.