Cedar Rapids Xavier aspires to win Class 4A boys’ state golf crown

Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Brandon Schiltz decided to hold a goal workshop at the beginning of the boys’ golf season.

The hope was to develop a shared vision before the Saints’ mission started this fall but the result was even better than Schiltz expected. Consensus from all 27 golfers on the roster.

“Everybody's speaking the same language and walking the same path and I think that really helped,” Schiltz said. “We had one team goal. It was to win state. So, that’s our big goal. That is it.”

Xavier boasts a deep and unified lineup that has had success from the season opener through the district meet. The Saints have earned a shot at achieving their unanimous goal at the Class 4A state golf tournament Monday and Tuesday at Hyperion Field Club in Johnston.

“We knew how good our team could be going into this year.” Xavier junior Logan Otting. “And now that we're in the position, we just want to try to make sure we can do everything we can to put ourselves in the best spot.

“Definitely still have fun, but really our goal is definitely to win state this year.”

Having the same mindset helps drive the team but their rapport has been rewarding as well. The Saints share a strong bond through golf that extends off the course as well. Regardless of grade, you can find them spending time together after practice and competitions.

The Saints have team meals. Buffalo Wild Wings or Mexican food are popular options. They spend time hanging out, watching football or playing pickleball. Xavier reaps the benefits during rounds.

“It means everything,” said Saints senior Jacob Schmit, noting his tennis background helps him claim to be the best pickleball player. “It really just boosts everyone to play better golf. We all just love to hang out with each other and it's just really fun. I don't really ever think about it as like work or I have to do this. It's more like I get to do this with all my teammates and we just get to have fun and play a game we all like to play.”

Schiltz said the district title was indicative of how the relationships make an impact.

“You can feel the energy coming off of them,” Schiltz said. “I think like 12 holes in, I was talking with Jacob and I knew he was locked in at that point. Just how he was interacting with me, how he was looking at his teammates as they were passing by the hole next to him and that type of energy transfers really well.

“I don't know what it does, but it just creates this spark within their teammates that causes them to refocus, maybe reset if they need to. It takes it up another level.”

The season contained multiple milestones. Xavier swept its way to the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division title and won 10 of 13 events this season.

“We just want the best for each other and we all try to push each other to be better,” Otting said. “I feel that's the biggest thing that's resulted in our success this year.”

The Saints started the season firing on all cylinders, setting a program scoring record with a 289 to claim the team title at the MVC Super Meet. It only took a month before they reset the record, capturing the Warrior Invitational with 287 at Cedar Rapids Country Club.

Xavier demonstrated its balance, shooting 2-under par 142 as a team in a nine-hole triangular at Thunder Hills Country Club in Peosta.

“It’s been awesome,” Schmit said. “Compared to our last couple of years, we've always done pretty good, but this year we're definitely a lot better. It's just been a lot of fun getting to play all these tournaments and seeing all six of us contribute and doing our part to help us all win.”

Xavier’s lineup is deep with each starter capable of scoring and even leading the team any day. Otting has emerged as the No. 1 golfer, earning MVC . He averages 70.5 per 18 holes with a 36.49 combined adjusted average, which factors in course difficulty for nine and 18-hole meets. Freshman Harrison Hartke won MVC Mississippi Athlete of the Year honors, edging Otting by a stroke in the three-round contest. Hartke owns of 73 and 36.49 averages.

Senior trio Schmit, Pranay Monga and Jack Pauly all average less than 76 per round and Ben Braksiek comes in at 78.63.

Otting said everyone owns various roles. Pauly keeps things light and loose, injecting happiness and fun to practice. He noted Braksiek has stepped into a new role and is a source of inspiration for his teammates.

Otting has developed into a better leader as well

“I guess I've tried to kind of lead by example more,” Otting said. “Try to kind of get everything I can out of each practice day. Especially with Harrison, he’s a really talented freshman and I saw a lot of me in him as a freshman, so I wanted to try to be the mentor that Garrett Nurre was for me my freshman year.”

“Just try to try to motivate all the guys just to get the most out of themselves.”

Depth causes drive to do well for each other, not division.

“I would say that they've done an exceptional job this year with that,” Schiltz said. “Every meet we talk about being humble, being patient and they all understand those positions are earned.

“They're workhorses. They go out to the course, they stay late and they play with each other. They urge each other to get better. I think that has really been the difference maker in not being complacent.”

The Saints will be joined by MVC foes Linn-Mar and Dubuque Wahlert in the 12-team field. The Lions senior Christian Cloyds returns to state, attempting to improve his eighth and 12th-place finishes from the last two years.

A total team effort will be required for Xavier to accomplish the objective in their sights all season. The key will to remain composed and limit mistakes for a successful finish.

“Just try to make our bad shots better than the other teams,” Otting said. “I feel like the greens are going to be tough there and if we can kind of play to the middle of the greens and make a lot of two- putts we can play good team golf.

“I think our team's really complete to where that's what could help us win the team title.”

CLASS 4A STATE GOLF MEET

Where: Hyperion Field Club, Johnston

When: Monday at 11 a.m.; Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Team qualifiers: Bettendorf, C.R. Xavier, Dallas Center-Grimes, Dubuque Wahlert, Johnston, Linn-Mar, North Scott, Norwalk, Pleasant Valley, Southeast Polk, Waukee Northwest, West Des Moines Dowling.

Individual qualifiers: Max Froeschle, Central DeWitt; Lawson Perrone, Central DeWitt; Dylan Vanner, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln; McCoy Miller; Ankeny Centennial; Ethan Boyle, Cedar Falls; Drew Larimer, Cedar Falls; Colton McCollaugh, Dubuque Senior; Jay McCausland, Waterloo West; Jonathan Ward, Waukee; Hayden Stockberger, Indianola.

Tickets: Daily tickets are $10 per person. Tickets are available at https://www.iahsaa.org/tickets/

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com