CEDAR RAPIDS — Patience is a virtue. Newton High junior Alyana Reynolds was patient with her golf game Monday and it paid off for her with a state tournament berth.
Reynolds shot a 90, finishing in a tie for fifth at the Iowa Class 4A Region 3 golf tournament. It snared a first-ever trip to the 4A state golf tournament for the junior.
“I’m so proud of how she was patient with herself throughout the day,” Newton head coach Scott Enyart said. “She didn’t have a par until her 15th hole of the day. She made a 10-foot putt on at the long par-3 No. 10.
“Alayna player her game and stuck to the process. The scores sorted themselves out and she will be playing in the state tournament.”
Enyart said Reynolds’ drained a 15-foot putt on No. 12 of the St. Andrews Golf Club course. He said she shot one-under her average with rounds of 46 and 44.
“Alayna has gone from averaging 57 for nine holes and our No. 6 golfer a year ago to being our No. 1 golfer and averaging 46,” Enyart said. “She and the rest of team of seven have worked hard with determination this season to get better.”
Newton’s girls finished fifth at the regional tournament with a four-player total of 404. Grinnell, led by regional champion Bella Amador-Lagson’s 76, claimed the team championship with a 370. Mount Pleasant was the runner-up with a 395. Both teams head to the state tournament.
The top five individuals, along with any ties, advance to the state tournament. Taylor Thede of Maquoketa and Fairfield’s Kylee Marley tied for second with 86. Kara Duffy of Central DeWitt shot an 88. Reynolds and Mount Pleasant’s Cali Liechty each had a 90.
Fairfield placed third as a team with a 396 and Central DeWitt had a 389 for fourth. Maquoketa had a 409 for sixth.
Newton senior Lizzy Coyle concluded her four-year high school golfing career with a 95 (47-48) to tying for ninth place. Enyart said Coyle turned in a consistent round of golf for her final one of the Cardinals.
“Lizzy’s final 18 holes was pretty good. She has been such a hard worker all four years with us. She’s a two-year letter winner and this a positive note to end her career on,” he said.
Junior Taylor Dydell fired a 109 (60-49) and sophomore Arieal Lum posted a personal-best 110 (54-56) to round out the Newton team scoring. Freshman Jordon Pritchard carded a 119 (59-60) and junior Tory Church had a 128 (61-67).
“Taylor had three holes on her front nine which jumped up and got her. Arieal really came through for us today. We put ourselves in a position to challenge for the second team spot at times today,” Enyart said. “This was a very satisfying season for us. This group of girls grew as golfers and as a team. We’re proud of all of them.”
This will be the fifth straight year Newton has been represented either by a team or an individual at the Class 4A state golf tournament. Reynolds plays in the 4A state tournament May 30-31 at Elmwood Country Club in Marshalltown.