Local Sports

Bobcat golfers show grit at Jesse Peck Invite

ANKENY -- When the going has gotten tough, the Bobcats have gotten going.

Marshalltown boys golf coach Lucas Johnson likes the toughness his team has shown through the first two meets of the season, which includes Wednesday's Jesse Peck Invitational hosted by Ankeny Centennial at Briarwood Club of Ankeny.

The Bobcats placed eighth out of 12 varsity teams in attendance, shooting a 316 team total that came in just back of Ankeny (310) and host Centennial (306). Norwalk edged out Dallas Center-Grimes for the team title, 282-283, while Southeast Polk also finished under par as a unit with a 286 for third place.

Waukee (289) and Indianola (295) rounded out the top five.

Marshalltown was led again by junior Joe Greazel, who twice had back-to-back birdies while also exemplifying the grit that Johnson admired out of his team on Wednesday morning. Greazel opened his round with an 8 on the par-4 fifth hole, but he settled in to par five of the next six holes and birdie the 12th.

Greazel finished with a 3-over 39 on the front and a 2-under 34 on the back nine, enduring one big hiccup to finish in 14th place overall with his 1-over-par 73.

"Two meets in and we're learning a lot about the makeup of this year's team and how the guys have matured," Johnson said. "In both meets we've shown the ability to bounce back from rough holes. Joe Greazel exemplified that more than anyone, taking an eight on his first hole and then going 2-under the rest of the way."

Bryson Payne was the next counting score for the 'Cats, carding a 7-over 79 that was good for 35th place. Fellow junior Gavin Misek made it in with an 82, as did senior Parker Christen, to round out the team scoring.

Payne's round included three birdies and nothing beyond a bogey.

"Bryson Payne had one of his best rounds as a Bobcat and I was really impressed with how he managed his game, making no score worse than bogey," said Johnson.

Jacob Seberger (84) and Isaac Anderson (86) also competed for the Bobcats.

Jonathan Ward of Waukee shot a 6-under 66 to score medalist honors, while Aiden Nguyen of Indianola won a five-way tie for second place at 3-under 69. Eleven of the 91 golfers finished under par for the day.

The Bobcats are back in action Thursday with a trip to Ottumwa on the docket for 10 a.m. at Ottumwa Golf and Social Club.