Our top 10 countdown is winding down of the best sports stories from the 2021-22 academic year and we have reached number two on our list. This countdown includes area schools Columbus Community, Highland, Lone Tree, Winfield-Mt. Union, WACO, Sigourney, and Keota with the second best story analyzing a memorable senior campaign for a Sigourney golfer.

Maddie Hornback made a name for herself the last couple springs on the links and her upward trend continued this year that culminated in a class 1A runner-up finish. The Savages had a breakout 2021 campaign where they qualified for state and finished 10th while Hornback managed 39th individually in her junior season. Bringing back a core of players in 2022, a special year was inevitable and the Savages did not disappoint with Hornback leading the charge. The senior won numerous meets and was playing her best golf at the right time including at the state meet on May 26-27th in Marshalltown. At American Legion Golf Course she carded a first round 18-hole score of 81 followed by an 82 for a 163 total (+21) that nabbed a silver medal by three strokes. That tally was only bested by defending state champion and South Iowa Cedar League foe Greenlee Smock of Lynnville-Sully with a 154. Hornback was the catalyst for a seventh place team finish with other Savage scores being Reggie Talbert with a 207, Maizy Cowman with a 210, Claire Svenby 216, Zoe Webb 254, and Julia VanEe 262. The seniors went out on a high note with only VanEe returning for next year.  

Our top 10 countdown concludes tomorrow with the best story taking us to the wrestling mat.