MUSCATINE

It was time once again for the members of the River Valley Conference to clash for the opportunity to be called champion. 

The Mid-Prairie girls golf team entered the Muscatine Municipal Golf Course as the reigning champions and it was a title they did not relinquish, fending off all competitors to come out on top once again. 

“I’m so proud of the group of girls and all they’ve accomplished,” Mid-Prairie coach Tracy McArtor said. “They continue to put together some great rounds of golf and keep doing things that our program has never done.”

Toppling all the competition, the Golden Hawks lay claim to the conference title for the second straight year, finishing in 1st place with a team score of 373. 

“To my knowledge this is the first time our program has won back-to-back conference championships,” coach Mcartor said. “Considering the size and talent across our conference, that’s a pretty big accomplishment.”

This competitive conference showdown featured 14 teams and coming in 2nd and 3rd place was Tipton and Beckman Catholic with scores of 375 and 377 respectively.    

In addition to collecting a conference title, Mid-Prairie also had four Golden Hawks earn all-conference honors: Elliot Debler, Madi Davidson, Addison English, and Gabi Robertson. 

Debler, a senior, put together a career best performance to lead the Hawks in the win. She shot a 45 on the front and back nine to arrive at her new best 18-hole score, 90. 

“She couldn’t have picked a better event to play her best golf,” coach McArtor said about Debler. “It also gave her a 5th place finish in the individual race and placed her on the Elite All Conference team.”

The next three best placing Hawks all shot in the 90’s to earn their spot on the all-conference team. English and Davidson tied for 8th place with a score of 94. Robertson carded a 95 to enter a tie for 10th place. 

Competing in their very first conference meet were freshmen Olivia Swartzendruber and Morgyn Bender. Rounding out the team score, Swartzendruber ended with 103 and Bender with 105.

“This was a great experience for Olivia and Morgan as they begin their High School careers getting their feet wet in a bigger meet and seeing first-hand what it takes to win a championship,” coach McArtor said. “I think they will take away a lot from today.”

Mid-Prairie 188, Durant 212

Visiting the Wahkonsa golf course in Durant for the third time in the last two weeks, the Golden Hawks defeated the Wildcats in a dual on May 6. 

“Girls played really well today and may have been our best 9-hole team score of the year or close to it with 188,” Mid-Prairie coach Tracy McArtor said. 

Mid-Prairie was led by Madi Davidson, who earned runner-up medalist honors with a 44. Eliot Debler, Addison English, and Gabi Robertson followed close behind with scores of 47, 48, and 49 respectively. 

Up next for Mid-Prairie is hosting seven teams at the Kalona Golf Course in a Regional meet on May 10.