The Mid-Prairie boys and girls golf teams open the year tonight when they take on Iowa City Regina in River Valley Conference action.
The Golden Hawk boys come into tonight after a 2019 that saw them wrap up the year in the district tournament at Blue Top Ridge in Riverside, just shy of a team state bid. After missing the 2020 season due to the pandemic, Mid-Prairie will be a young team, having lost six of their top eight players from 2019, including team leader and state qualifier Noah Schlabaugh. Back for the Golden Hawks is Dominic McCain for his senior season. As a sophomore, he played in 13 varsity tournaments with a 48 average per nine holes and an 89 18-hole average. Kayden Reinier is the other player back with experience. The senior played in 11 tournaments two years ago as a sophomore, shooting a 55 average per nine holes and a 97 average per 18.
The Regals also bring back two players with experience. In 2019, Andrew Triplett played in 11 tournaments as a freshman, posting a 55 average per nine holes and a 115 average per 18. Coltrae Kerschen played in three tournaments as a freshman two years ago, shooting a 52 average per nine holes and a 124 across 18. Mid-Prairie won the last meeting between the two schools 167-189. The Golden Hawks will host the Regals tonight at the Kalona Golf Course.
The Mid-Prairie girls travel to Pleasant Valley this evening to meet Regina. Losing 2020 hit the Mid-Prairie girls program hard as they graduated their presumed entire varsity lineup of seniors including state qualifier Abbi Patterson, after a season that saw them advance to the regional finals. Madelyn Bender is the lone returner for the Hawks with varsity experience. Two years ago as a freshman, she played in five tournaments, posting a 69 average per nine holes. Regina was affected similarly by last year’s hiatus, graduating all players with any varsity tournament experience. Last time these two teams met Mid-Prairie got a 224-236 win. Both meets get underway at 4p.m. with action continuing into the evening on Monday.