Two local high school golf teams chase the ultimate prize over the next two days as the Winfield-Mount Union Wolves and Keota Eagles play in the Class 1A state championships at Ames Golf & Country Club.

Winfield-Mount Union saved their best of the 2024 season for nearly last by winning their district tournament last week in Wapello. It was the seventh victory of the season for WMU, which took fourth in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference and now is making its first appearance at state since 2017.

Carter Loyd has been the steady hand leading the pack for the Wolves this spring, ranked 18th in Class 1A by the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association after winning five times individually in his senior season and posting an average 18-hole score of just over 86 strokes.

In addition to Loyd shooting a 14-over-par 86 last week, youth has also been served at Winfield-Mount Union. Freshman Justin Knipfer fired a season-low 85 to finish fourth at districts, while sophomore Konner Kinneberg is also coming off a season-best 87 at Wapello last week.

Knipfer and fellow WMU freshman Cody Milks have posted 18-hole scores of 98 or lower on average, as have Kinneberg and sophomore teammates Max Edwards and Grant Anderson.

Keota has looked the part of one of the state’s best teams most of the season, as a sectional championship at Central City two weeks ago adds to a resume that includes four victories, only one event where they finished worse than third and the number-three ranking in Class 1A.

Eagle seniors Sawyer Stout and Cole Kindred are ranked inside the individual state top 20, with both averaging scores of just over 82 per 18 holes and Stout posting an eight-over 80 to finish second at sectionals.

Junior Billie Kindred matched Cole Kindred’s team-best 85 last week to finish tied for seventh at districts and joins freshman Brennan McGuire and seniors Conner Strand and Tanner Waterhouse to make it all six Keota golfers that are averaging 18-hole scores of 93 or better.

Strand will be first on the tee to play in Round One for the Eagles this morning at 10:30, while Milks will be first up for Winfield-Mount Union at the same time. Listen to KCII and check the results page at KCIIradio.com for the latest updates today and tomorrow from the Class 1A state golf tournament.