MONROE

The playoff path to state opened up this past week as No. 20 Mid-Prairie boys golf battled against seven other teams in a Class 2A sectional tournament taking place at Prairie City Monroe. 

With the top three teams advancing to districts, Mid-Prairie saw its season close at sectionals with a fifth place finish but districts will not be completely devoid of Golden Hawks as the superb individual play of Bryce Henry and Grayson Gingerich have them moving on to the next round.

“Our team played well but came up short of advancing in a loaded sectional.  I am proud of the season, the improvement and the fight the golfers had all year.  We just ran into some very good golf teams today,” Mid-Prairie coach Kelby Bender said. “ The top two individuals and ties that are not on qualifying teams advance as individuals. Both Bryce and Grayson advance and will play on.”

Taking the top spot was Pella Christian who shot a first place score of 295. PCM and West Branch scored 303 and 317 respectively to take the runner-up spot and third place. 

The Hawks earned its top five finish with 327, their third best score of the season.

Henry and Gingerich led the way with identical scores of 78 to tie for 8th in the individual standings. Henry made nine pars, a birdie, and an eagle. Gingerinch sank 11 pars, one birdie, and an eagle.

“Bryce Henry and Grayson Gingerich each had solid rounds.” coach Bender said. “These two played well today and I am excited for them to have the opportunity to play at the District meet.”

The third Hawk to make an eagle was Clayton Davidson as the junior also made five pars and one birdie to place 18th with a score of 85. Denver Nelson rounded out the team score with a 86 to tie for 20th. The sophomore made nine pars in total.

Mid-Prairie’s Ace Peck ended with an 87 to place 22nd and teammate Hudson Ehrenfelt shot 91 to tie for 25th.

“Each of the six contributed to the success of the season,” coach Bender said. “I felt we had six golfers that could score for us and it showed throughout the season.”

Mid-Prairie ends the season at 46-20, a nine-hole average of 165.47, and an 18-hole average of 330.67. In the offseason they will say goodbye to their lone senior, Ace Peck.

Districts

With tickets to state on the line, the Mid-Prairie duo of junior Bryce Henry and sophomore Grayson Gingerich traveled to the Bos Landen Golf Course in Pella to take part in a 2A District meet last Monday. 

Battling fierce competition Gingerich and Henry had their seasons end at districts by placing 49th and 61st respectively with scores of 96 and 107.

Coming away with a first place finish in the team standings was Pella Christian (319), the runner-up spot was claimed by PCM (343), and third place was won by Central Lee (351). 

The Pella Christian trio of Eliot Menninga (76), Cooper Spronk (77), and Deacon Branderhorst (80) dominated the top of the individual leaderboard by placing first, second, and third respectively.