With the golf season in full swing, the men’s and women’s teams have started to settle into their respective places in the IIAC.

The men’s team had played a total of three rounds heading into last weekend and had averaged 304.7 strokes per round. The women have played 6 rounds averaging 375.7 strokes.

The men are sitting at second place in the IIAC standings, only narrowly trailing Central for the top spot in the conference. They have the best overall team round in the IIAC this year with a 291 at the Mount Mercy Cropper Golf Classic earlier this month.

The men’s team is headlined by two very strong golfers in Trent Lindenman and Andy Hutchins. They both have had rounds of 69, and Lindenman has two top finishes at events this year. Both have put up a number of strong performances, but Lindenman has been the strongest golfer between the two so far this season.

Behind the one, two punch of Lindenman and Hutchins, there is a strong group of golfers that are all eager to improve not only this season but in seasons to come. Hutchins is the only senior with more than one round played, but all three of the others who have played that many rounds are juniors.

Several of the freshmen and sophomores have been looking good in the few rounds they’ve played so far this season and are making the future seem bright for this experienced squad.

The women have not had quite the luck the men have had. They currently sit at 6^th in conference standings in front of University of Dubuque and Buena Vista University.

The season has been rocky for the women, but their desire to improve and expand their abilities has been apparent to their coach throughout the season.

“They have demonstrated personal improvement with nearly every practice session.  We have had several personal best rounds this year, and I fully anticipate they will continue to set new benchmarks as the conference tournament commences,” first-year head coach Larry Shoop said.

Their strongest golfer has been sophomore Coltyn Hunter who has averaged 90 strokes through four rounds. She has been experiencing some discomfort in her shoulder, but is still hoping to play in the conference tournament this coming weekend.

The women head into the conference tournament with many goals and expectations for themselves and hope to make large jumps in the final standings.

“Without exception, they are more prepared to compete and represent the Storm than they were in August.  This is a testament to their willingness to devote themselves to the task at hand and make the changes necessary to be successful. We will see how the season is completed, but rest assured they will give it their best effort,” said Shoop.

The women will be participating in their conference tournament this week while the men will be hosting an invitational of their own this Wednesday.