March 29, 2024

Cardinal boys snare share of LHC regular season title

PELLA — Newton High’s Cardinal boys are comfortable playing the Bos Landen Golf Course in Pella. A little more than a week ago, the Cardinals won their first-ever Little Hawkeye Conference tournament championship at Bos Landen.

On Tuesday, the Cardinals sealed a share of the LHC regular-season dual golf championship, winning a conference triangular with Pella Christian and Pella. Newton finished with a 166 for its four-man total followed by Pella Christian at 175, Newton’s junior varsity at 196 and Pella at 205 for the nine-hole event.

The victories over the Pella Christian Eagles and the Pella Dutch pushed Newton to 4-1 in LHC dual action. Grinnell and Oskaloosa each have one loss in conference play.

“I was happy to see the guys accomplish their goal of being conference dual champions along with the tournament champions,” Newton head coach Pat Riley said.

Junior Austin Reynolds was the meet medalist with a round of 38, which was three strokes ahead of Pella Christian’s Graham Howerzyl’s 41. Newton senior Payton Thomas took third with a 42.

Senior Derek Damman and junior Trey Vanderlaan each carded a 43 for the Cardinals’ team score. Sophomore Shaiden Simons shot a 47, and junior Paul Maharry had a 48.

Leading the Newton JV squad was Nate Vanzee with 44 followed by Rhandyn Olfield with a 47, Sam Supino at 51 and Parker Schster at 53. Colin McAnally had a 54 and Devon Young shot a 55.

“It has been a great season, and we have three more big meets left,” Riley said. “If we can play well enough to get to the state tournament, the kids would complete their last goal. We will see how Friday goes first.”

Newton holds its Cardinal Invitational Thursday with teams teeing off a 1 p.m. at Newton’s Westwood Golf Course. The Cardinal varsity is back on its home course at 9 a.m. Friday for a Class 3A sectional meet.

Qualifiers — individual and team — from the sectional advance to a May 20 Class 3A district tournament at The Preserve on Rathbun Lake hosted by Centerville. District qualifiers advance to the Iowa Class 3A State Boys Golf Tournament May 27-28 at Spring Valley Golf Course in Livermore.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
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or jsheets@newtondailynews.com