Clarinda, Shenandoah combine for 3 state golf medalists
Two area teams qualified for the State Golf Championships this season and three individuals ended their seasons with individual state medals.
It was quite the season for area golfers as the Clarinda and Shenandoah boys competed at state, for the first time since both were there nine years ago. They were both led by a state medalist as Clarinda senior Kort Neal and Shenandoah junior JJ Martin tied for fifth. Clarinda senior Taylor Rasmussen also earned medalist honors, placing 10th.
This is the second in a series of three spring sports recap stories published this month. The track and field story came out last week and the tennis story is scheduled for next week. After that, look for the release of the Spring Sports All-Area Team, and then stories on the spring season’s top male and female athlete.
The Clarinda boys golf team shows off its state tournament banner after winning the district championship Monday, May 18, in Shenandoah. From left: Warner Schmitt, Jack Kline, Jac Fine, Logan Peterson (head coach), Kort Neal, Sam Kline and Barrett Hagey
The Shenandoah boys golf team shows off its state tournament banner Monday, May 18, after qualifying for the Class 2A Boys State Golf Championships on their home course. From left: Tom Foutch (head coach), JJ Martin, Clay Foutch, Logan Twyman, Brody Burdorf, Levi Green and Ethan Laughlin.
The Clarinda and Shenandoah boys as they went back and forth against each other all season, starting with the Mustangs winning a dual against the Cardinals in early April and finishing with the Cardinals taking ninth and the Mustangs 10th at the Class 2A State Golf Championships.
Clarinda senior Kort Neal finished his high school golf career with a sixth-place medal at the Boys State Golf Championships, which took place Tuesday, May 26, and Wednesday, May 27, in Waterloo.
Clarinda senior Sam Kline putts Monday, May 18, at the Shenandoah Golf Course.
Half of both teams were seniors and there is a lot of good talent leaving their respective programs. Along with Neal, that includes Sam Kline and Warner Schmitt for the Cardinals, as well as William Sump and Sean Hunter, who saw some varsity time this season.
Shenandoah senior Ethan Laughlin sends his ball across the green Monday, May 18, at the Shenandoah Golf Course.
For Shenandoah, three multi-year varsity athletes in Ethan Laughlin, Logan Twyman and Brody Burdorf exit the program.
Shenandoah junior JJ Martin finished fifth Wednesday, May 27, at the Class 2A Boys State Golf Tournament. Martin posted a 149, earning a state medal.
Half gone, though, also means plenty of talent returns. Martin is back to lead the Mustangs, along with Clay Foutch and Levi Green, who both were consistent scorers for the Mustangs this season.
Clarinda’s leader much of the season was Jac Fine, who still has two years left in the program. Jack Kline was a consistent scorer for the Cardinals this season and Barrett Hagey came on strong late and had some nice scores down the stretch.
Clarinda’s season was also special because it came just a few months after the unexpected death of long-time head coach Andrew Almelien. He worked with nearly all Clarinda’s golfers for a lot of their golf careers prior to leaving the district after the 2024/25 school year. His coaching had a lot to do with the success of this year’s team.
While Logan Peterson took over as the Clarinda boys head coach this season, Mike Anderson was the first-year head coach for the girls.
Anderson coached two of the best in the state in Taylor Rasmussen, who will golf collegiately at Wayne State in Nebraska next year, and Addy Weinreich. Both made their second career state appearance and both finished in the top 20 at the state tournament.
Clarinda senior Taylor Rasmussen ended her high school golf career with a 10th-place state finish Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29, at the Class 2A State Golf Championships in Marshalltown.
Clarinda sophomore Addy Weinreich finished 18th at the Class 2A State Golf Championships Thursday, May 28, and Friday, May 29, in Marshalltown.
The Cardinals had eight different athletes contribute at the varsity level this season with Jalon Olson, Maggie Carlson and Jillian Dammann also exiting the program as seniors. Weinreich returns with a young group by her side next season.
Shenandoah junior Sarah Pickens putts on the first hole Friday, May 15, at the Shenandoah Golf Course. Pickens sank the putt for a birdie to start her round. She scored an 81 to finish fourth and advance to the regional final.
Speaking of a young group, that’s what the Shenandoah girls were this season with three juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen contributing at the varsity level. Sarah Pickens may have missed out on the state tournament but had one of the 10 best averages in Class 2A for first team all-state honors. Alaina Anderson took a big leap forward this season and qualified individually for the regional final.
The other area state qualifier was Sidney sophomore Alyssa Dowling, who made her state tournament debut this season and finished 23rd in Class 1A.
The Sidney girls golf team shows off its Corner Conference championship banner Wednesday, May 6, at the Red Oak Country Club. From left: Alyssa Dowling, Gabi Jacobs, Addy Foster and Ashlyn Hayes.
Sidney senior Gabi Jacobs watches her ball carry onto the green Wednesday, May 6, at the Corner Conference Golf Tournament.
Dowling led a group of six for the Cowgirls this season with senior Gabi Jacobs and juniors Addy Foster and Ashlyn Hayes the only others seeing postseason time, which included a berth in the regional final.
The Sidney boys were all freshmen and sophomores but one. The one was their leader, senior Gabe Casey, who went out for the sport for the first time and played well enough to be a district qualifier.
A trio of freshmen in Kullen Ward, Konnor Ward and Bryce Winters return to lead next year’s Cowboys.
The other first-year head coach for area teams this spring was Addy Stalzer with the Essex boys.
Essex sophomore Brody Kirchert putts Wednesday, May 6, at the Corner Conference Tournament. Kirchert posted a 111, leading the Trojans to a sixth-place team finish with a 532.
Six different Trojans saw varsity time this season with all set to return. Sophomore Brody Kirchert was the team leader in most meets with classmate Ben King leading at the others.
Several of these athletes are sure to be featured again in two weeks when the Spring Sports All-Area Team is released. The Spring Sports Male and Female Athlete of the Year will be unveiled after that.
Related
Video interviews with Clarinda, Shenandoah regional final golf qualifiers
