In the opener for the new year for both schools, the Hillcrest Academy boys and girls golf teams took care of business in a pair of Southeast Iowa Superconference duals against the Lone Tree Lions at Blue Top Ridge at the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort Monday. The Raven boys were a winner by a 182-243 score. Rowan Miller shot an even par 36 for Hillcrest to earn medalist honors. Raven Liam Schrock was medalist runner-up with a 40. Other scores for Hillcrest included Matthew Chalupa and Rylan Good with 53s, Phoenix Anderson 58 and Ethan Yoder 63. The Lone Tree boys were led by Cade Willoz card of 55. Other Lion scores included Domnic Graap 57, Will Schweitzer 63 and Luke Fuhrmeister 68.

The Raven girls shot a team score of 321 to get the win. Ava Miller led Hillcrest and was meet medalist with a 74. Raven Claire Withrow was medalist runner-up with a 76. Other scores for the Hillcrest girls included Izzy Frederick 83, Maria Portillo 88, Brynna O’Rourke 90 and Nour Ayoub 98. The Lady Lions did not post a team score but individual leaders included Taylor Bell 86, Mia Bauwens 89 and Rylie Viers 107.

Following the match, meet medalists Rowan and Ava Miller from Hillcrest spoke with KCII Sports about their individual rounds and team’s play in getting the victories.

Rowan Miller said, “Blue Top is probably the toughest course we’ll play all year. I just wanted a solid start. Something low 40s. I was really pleased shooting what I did. Early I wasn’t making putts. I was tapping in for par. Later, I put it close enough and saw a putt drop. From there it was smooth sailing.”

Ava Miller added, “I was just hoping to get good swings. My key tonight was hole six. I had some really good shots to get it to the green.”

The Ravens are back on the course Thursday when they travel to Columbus. The Lions also compete Thursday at WACO.