T-R FILE PHOTO - Marshalltown High School senior-to-be Ryan Schmit attempts a putt on the ninth green at the American Legion Memorial Golf Course during Sunday’s final round of the 36th annual Times-Republican City Golf Tournament. Schmit is a returning Class 4A individual state qualifier for the Bobcat boys’ fall golf squad.

Marshalltown boys golf is raising the bar this fall.

Class 4A state qualifier Ryan Schmit leads a group of five returning golfers with extensive varsity experience for the Bobcats.

Schmit is one of three returning varsity seniors along with Jacob Thiessen and Brecken Payne. Juniors Ty Faltys and Eli Polley round out Marshalltown’s returning crew.

“Those five guys basically played all our varsity meets last year,” MHS head coach Lucas Johnson said. “That nucleus will only continue to get better and grow as the season goes on.”

Schmit is entering his senior year after tying for 14th place at last year’s 4A meet at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. He also recently captured a Class 2A co-ed state title, teaming up with Natalie Henson, and was eighth in the Times-Republican City Tournament last weekend, his second-consecutive top-10 finish in the event.

“He took some major strides forward, especially toward the end of last season,” Johnson said. “He’s continued to work hard this summer and he’s not just gearing up for this high school season but looking forward to what the future holds for him, so he’ll just continue to grind and get better.”

Marshalltown has won the last two conference championships they’ve played in, following a CIML title in 2021 with an Alliance title in 2022. The Bobcats would certainly be favorites to repeat this fall.

“No matter who we face, you play against yourself in the game of golf, and we just need to make sure we’re competing at the highest level we can,” Johnson said. “I think these guys know that they have some things to prove this year and know that this is a year where they can step up and surprise some people.”

Johnson thinks the Bobcats may have surprised themselves and others last October with how well they played in the 4A district meet at A.H. Blank Golf Course in Des Moines, finishing only seven shots out of a state-qualifying spot.

With so many returning golfers, that performance should feed into Marshalltown’s confidence on the course as the leaves change.

“Our guys want to continue to show that we can play with the best teams, and with our senior leadership and the amount of guys that have played high-level golf that’s a doable goal for them,” Johnson said.

The Bobcats open the season in a triangular with Mason City and Ottumwa at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10. The first home meet is Monday, Aug. 14 against Des Moines Lincoln at Elmwood Country Club.

“This part of the season should just be a continuation of the work we’ve put in throughout the summer,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t feel like the start of the season because they’ve been grinding all summer long.”