Girls golf team takes NCC dual meet title

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake girls golf team took the first step in sweeping the North Central Conference this season.  They wrapped up the NCC dual meet title on Thursday, May 6, by topping Clarion-Goldfield-Dows and St. Edmund in a triangular.  The victory came on the heels of a loss to New Hampton, which has become the Lions’ nemesis this season.

NH 190, CL 193, CC 211

On Monday, the girls traveled to Charles City to play at Cedar Ridge against host Charles City and New Hampton.  Clear Lake took second with a 193, three strokes behind winner New Hampton. Charles City posted a 211. 

Clear Lake’s Rebecca DeLong was the first place medalist with a 39. Meghan DeLong shot a 45, Macey Holck 54, and Jaden Ainley was the final score taken with a 55. 

“This meet was a bit of a struggle. None of the girls had ever played Cedar Ridge before and it got the best of most of them. The greens were quick and the nine we played had some corky holes,” said Coach Colby Andrews.

CL 182, C-G-D 225, 

St. Edmund 254

Thursday the girls played in the final Conference triangular. Clear Lake won the meet, along with wrapping up the North Central Conference Dual Championship. Clear Lake shot a 182, followed by Clarion with a 225 and St. Edmond at 254. 

Megan DeLong was the first place medalist with a  round of 39.  Rebecca DeLong was the second-place medalist, shooting 42. Phoebe Nelson was the Lions’ third scorer with a 50. Macey Holck and Jaden Ainley both came in with 51s. 

Clear Lake’s junior varsity team shot 231 and won, as well. Summer Froiland was the JV medalist.

“I was really happy to see the team bounce back with a good round after our highest score of the year Monday night.  This was another tough course none of our girls had seen and we played the back nine, which is much harder than the front. There are a lot of holes where you can’t hit your driver. This caused the girls to hit a lot more placement shots than they are used to,” said Coach Andrews.  “We started off a little rocky as a team overall, before adjusting and having a pretty good night.  We were excited to win the NCC Dual Championship. This has been one of our goals from the beginning of the year.”

The Lions played in the North Central Conference Tournament on Monday, hoping to repeat their regular-season success.  Friday the team travels to Forest City for a big tournament and another chance to compete with New Hampton.