March 29, 2024

Newton girls win LHC golf tournament

Heryford wins second conference individual title

OSKALOOSA — Rylee Heryford won another conference championship and all four scoring golfers claimed all-conference honors as Newton’s girls golf team cruised to the team title at the Little Hawkeye Conference tournament on Monday.

Heryford won the conference title with a 71 at Warrior Run Golf Course in 2019. The Cardinals tied for first that season but settled for second on a tiebreaker.

This time around, Newton finished the deal with ease, downing runner-up Dallas Center-Grimes by 18 shots at the par 70 Edmundson Golf Course.

“I was very proud of the team today,” Newton girls golf coach Ashley Kahler said. “Winning conference was one of our goals this year.”

The top 12 finishers in the tournament earn all-conference honors. Heryford won the conference title with a 75 but Abby Price, Marin Pettigrew and Bekah Vasseau all finished in the top 11.

Heryford went 37-38 for her round. Price finished fifth with a 96, Pettigrew placed eighth with a 98 and Vasseau took 11th with a 100. Ella Price (113) and Madison Price (124) had non-counting scores.

“Rylee had a great round,” Kahler said. “She played her game and was locked in. Having our top four girls get all-conference is a great accomplishment. They are playing good golf right now and are on a roll. It is what we want at this time of year as we head into regionals in a few weeks.”

The runner-up medalist was DCG’s Emerson Kleis, who shot a 92. The Mustangs were the runner-up team with a 387. Norwalk shot a 417 in third and Indianola (418) and Pella (452) completed the field.

DCG put its top three golfers in the first seven positions. Norwalk’s first four finishers went 12-13-14-17.