Mount Ayr Golf Teams Seal Big Wins Over Creston Panthers
Mount Ayr’s golf teams delivered commanding victories over the Creston Panthers during Friday’s dual meet at the Crestmoor Golf Club, electrifying the crowd on Creston’s senior night. Both varsity boys and girls teams from Mount Ayr dominated, securing crucial wins and standout individual performances that shine a spotlight on their championship aspirations this season.
The boys varsity duel was fiercely contested, but Mount Ayr edged Creston with a combined score of 174 to 183. Creston’s Marshall Long emerged as boys medalist, shooting a low 40 to narrowly outpace Mount Ayr’s Avery Wolfe, who carded a 41. Despite Long’s best effort, Mount Ayr’s overall team depth was unstoppable, with key contributors Jaxson Greene (43), Tanner Streit (45), and Drew Graham (45) powering their side to victory.
On the girls side, Mount Ayr’s defending state champion Jaylee Shaffer was a dominant force, firing a one-over par 38 to claim medalist honors. Teammate Izzy Gilbertson finished as runner-up with a 48, while Creston’s top scorer, Ricci Johnston, shot 49 — one stroke shy of overtaking Gilbertson. This strong showing helped Mount Ayr secure the girls varsity win with a combined score of 218 to 234.
This event also served as a moving moment of recognition as seniors from both teams — including Izzy Spencer, Chasse Downing, Ethan Holliday, Marshall Long, Kylen Parsons, Gabe Blazek, and Kaizer Smith — were honored prior to the match, highlighting the emotional significance of the competition at Crestmoor.
The junior varsity contests showcased balanced talent, with Creston’s Javin Hyde and Mount Ayr’s Carter Levine tying at 44, signaling a strong pipeline of young golfers on both squads.
Looking ahead, Creston’s teams are set to participate in upcoming tournaments, including their visit to Atlantic on Tuesday and the boys’ anticipated trip to the prestigious Hawkeye Ten Tournament in Denison on Wednesday. These upcoming events will be critical as both programs continue their push toward postseason success.
What This Means Now
Mount Ayr’s victories are a clear statement of intent in the region’s highly competitive golf landscape. With star performances from Sharffer and Wolfe, the team has demonstrated the firepower and depth needed to contend for state titles. Creston’s individual standouts, such as Long, provide promise for future matches, but the Panthers will need a stronger collective push to turn the tide in their favor.
For golf fans across California and the rest of the US watching prep sports unfold, these results reveal how emerging talent in the Midwest is shaping up, offering a snapshot of potential breakout stars who could grab national attention in coming seasons.
Scores Recap | Crestmoor Golf Club
Boys Varsity
Mount Ayr (174) — Avery Wolfe 41 (runner-up), Jaxson Greene 43, Tanner Streit 45, Drew Graham 45, Adler Reed 49, Tytan Gourley 51
Creston (183) — Marshall Long 40 (medalist), Garrett Troutwine 44, Kylen Parsons 49, Branden Spencer 50, Gabe Blazek 51, Chasse Downing 54
Girls Varsity
Mount Ayr (218) — Jaylee Shaffer 38 (medalist), Izzy Gilbertson 48 (runner-up), Claire Routh 63, Alyssa Doolittle 69, Dallas Newton 71
Creston (234) — Ricci Johnston 49, Kennedy Strider 61, Isabella Spencer 62, Brooke Huck 62, Nora Barton 67
Mount Ayr’s sweep of Creston is an urgent update in the high school golf season, setting the stage for next week’s critical tournaments and intensifying the race for regional supremacy.
