MHS shot its best 18-hole score of the season with a 359, 36 strokes lower than its season average, and head golf coach Lucas Johnson said the way his girls played has him excited for the fast-approaching postseason.

“Given the difficulty of the conditions with the cold and wind, I couldn’t be more pleased with the way the girls played and it definitely gives us a huge confidence boost heading into the [CIML Iowa Conference meet and regionals,” he said.

Once again, freshman Amber Henson shot the lights out with a 5-over-par 76 to finish as the meet runner-up behind West Des Moines Valley’s 74.

“We got some outstanding play at the top of the lineup from Amber Henson which she’s been giving us all season,” Johnson said. “She was dialed in on the back nine and could have gone even lower if she’d gotten some of her birdie putts to drop.”

Norah Wilson

Henson has been solid at the top all season, but what led to the lowest 18-hole team score of the year was the performance of the next three girls. Kyra Feldman and Emma Younkin both turned in rounds of 94, while Norah Wilson followed just behind with a 95.

Feldman matched her season low while Younkin was six strokes under her best of the year and Wilson nine strokes under her season best.

“Kyra Feldman shot 94, but the first thing she said after the round was that it should have been in the 80’s given that she had four 8’s on the scorecard. The par fives were rough on her, but she did a nice job getting those strokes back on the par threes and fours,” Johnson said. “Emma Younkin had her best round as a Bobcat and played smart throughout the day to keep the ball in play. We’ve talked a lot as a team about how to minimize the damage from a bad shot and not let it lead to a huge number. Emma did especially well managing the course and it showed in her score.

“Likewise, Norah Wilson also has shown she has the ability to put together a strong round when she can keep the ball in play and be precise with her putter. Copper is a place where three-putts can happen often, so I’m especially proud of her day on the greens.”

One more Bobcat had her best 18-hole score of the season as well, with Brynn Van Buren dropping a stroke of her season best with a 102 for the fifth score.

Valley was the top scoring team with a 322, while Marshalltown’s 359 in second was 22 strokes ahead of Atlantic in third place.

The Bobcats are off now until next Thursday, where they will play in the CIML Iowa Conference meet at Mason City Country Club, starting at 10 a.m.

Southeast Polk Invite

At Pleasant Hill

Copper Creek Golf Course, par 71

Team Standings — 1. West Des Moines Valley 322, 2. Marshalltown 359, 3. Atlantic 381, 4. Newton 387, 5. Urbandale 390, 6. Southeast Polk 394, 7. Ankeny 394, 8. Indianola 399, 9. Dowling Catholic 419, 10. Des Moines Roosevelt 465, 11. Des Moines East 480.

Individual (top 10) — 1. Paige Hoffman, VAL, 74; 2. Amber Henson, MHS, 76; 3. Saffire Sayre, VAL, 77; 4. Jaci Webb, ANK, 79; 5. Rylee Heryford, NEW, 82; 6. Baylee Newell, ATL, 83; 7. Jenna Krogulski, VAL, 83; 8. Alyssa Ginther, ATL, 86; 9. Riley Bartlett, VAL, 88; 10. Lydia Dayton, URB, 89.

MARSHALLTOWN (359) — Henson 76, Kyra Feldman 94, Emma Younkin 94, Norah Wilson 95, Brynn Van Buren 102, Sydney Faltys 116.