Comet boys 3 strokes shy in road loss to Vikings

Press Staff Report 

DECORAH — After a humbling weekend on the golf course, the Charles City Comets returned to work on Monday (back on the golf course) with greater resolve.

Up against the Decorah Vikings in their neck of the woods — Oneota Golf and Country Club — the Comet boys shot their best 9-hole team score of the season, but came up 3 strokes shy of the hosts (157-160).

Viking senior Jackson Pipho was the dual meet’s medalist (35) with freshman teammate Jacob Stevens one stroke behind (36) for Decorah (3-1, 2-0 Northeast Iowa Conference).

The Comets (1-2, 1-1) were led by junior Bryce Walker, who shot a career-best 36 to match Stevens for runner-up honors

Senior Carson Gallup (38), senior Riley Perez (42) and junior Sawyer Hanson (44) rounded out the scores with Comet seniors Keaton Ross and Nick Williams at their heels with a pair of 46s — season-best for Ross.

The Comets had played a 36-hole 2-day event in Pella — The Dutch Masters — last Friday and Saturday and placed 15th out of 18 teams.

“It was a humbling experience on a difficult course that none of our guys played,” Charles City first-season coach Joel Bruner said.

After the first 18 holes on Friday, Gallup was leading the 108 player field with a 72. He shot an 81 on Saturday and placed fifth.

“It was a great experience for our guys to prepare them for the competition we are going to face in upcoming weeks,” said Bruner, whose team will travel to Waukon Golf and Country Club next Tuesday (April 29) to take on the resident Indians.

After Monday’s meets against Decorah that included the Comet girls defeating the Vikings at Cedar Ridge for their first win of the season, both Charles City teams traveled to Sunny Brae Golf Course for separate dual meets against Osage.

The Comet girls shot their lowest 9-hole team score of the season (214) while tying the Green Devils.

For the second time in as many days, Charles City senior Mya Rimrod achieved medalist honors as her 49 — matching her personal-best HS score — tied Osage senior Emily Myers.

Avery Wohlers (54), Lily Herman (55) and Izzy Crawford (56) rounded out Charles City’s score.

The Comet boys also shot their lowest 9-hole score of the season (158) with Gallup (36) and Perez (37) leading the way.

But with Green Devils seizing the top three — Isaac Houdek (31), Ty Voigt (33) and Heath Voigt — Osage won the meet by 19 strokes (139).

Walker (42) and Ross (43) rounded out CC’s score.