Lions hitting their stride; team takes NCC title

Talk about peaking at the right time!

The Clear Lake boys golf team captured the North Central Conference Tournament title Wednesday and advanced to Districts with a runner-up finish at Friday’s Sectional Meet.  They advance to play in the 3A District at Waverly Municipal Golf Course Friday, May 23.  The top two teams in the District will advance to State.

“Its all about making putts and smart decision making at this point of the season and we are doing a good job of that,” said Coach Bart Smith.

NCC Meet

With longtime Coach Eric Perry on hand, back from several weeks away recovering from a head injury, the Clear Lake Lions played inspired and recorded a victory at the North Central Conference Tournament played Tuesday, May 13, at Briggs Woods Golf Course in Webster City.  The Lions topped the host Lynx 318-321.  It was sweet revenge for the Lions, who had been beaten twice this season by the Lynx.

At the NCC meet, Jon Carew had a good start and gained confidence throughout the day, according to Bart Smith, who took over coaching duties in Perry’s absence this season.  Carew finished with a (41-39) 80.

“Austin Rurup and Dane Waldron are showing some consistency in their scores and we will need those scores again if we want to advance (in post season),” said Smith. 

Waldron led the way for the Lions at the NCC meet, carding a (40-37) 77.  Rurup finished with a (40-39) 79.  Freshman Kyle Calaguas had the fourth counting score, a (42-40) 82.

“Rurup had a double bogie free round on the day and I felt his score, out of the four, was the biggest,” said Coach Smith.  “Dane is usually a 70 shooter and to get another one on the round is big. Our decision making is much better and some of those six to eight foot putts are starting to fall for the guys,” said Coach Smith. “The guys have spent extra time in that area of the game and we are glad to see it show up late here when it counts.  We still have strokes out there that we can improve on.”

The NCC Tournament title was the fourth straight for the Lions.  

Sectional Meet

Dane Waldron was third and Jon Carew fourth, helping the Lions to a seven-stroke win at Class 3A Sectional golf played Friday at Charles City.  The Lions soundly defeated Decorah, 315-322.  Both teams advance to District play Friday at Waverly.  West Delaware, Manchester, Vinton-Shellsburg and Epworth, Western Christian will also compete at the District.

“West Delaware is playing really well, and don’t think Decorah doesn’t want to get some revenge after we beat them on Friday,” said Coach Bart Smith.  “We still have some scores on our cards that can get lower by making better decisions and staying mentally strong after a tough hole.  We had some guys start really well on Friday, but we didn’t finish the whole round.  I’m proud of our performance, but we aren’t done yet.”

William Thomsen, from Crestwood, Cresco was Sectional medalist with a 76.  Decorah’s Bryce Pierce was runner-up medalist with a 76.

Waldron and Carew both shot 77s to pace the Lions.Close behind was Austin Rurup, with a 78, and Thomas Storbeck came in with an 83 for the Lions.  Also golfing was Kyle Calaguas, who finished with an 87, and Tanner Storbeck, 95.

Coach Smith noted five of Clear Lake’s six players had at least one nine-hole split in the 30s on their scorecard.  No other school had more than two players equal that feat.

The remainder of the Sectional field included: North Fayette Valley (339), Crestwood (343), Garner-Hayfield/Ventura (352), Waverly-Shell Rock (355), Charles City (378) and Waukon (379).