CEDAR FALLS — Gilbert crowned another individual state champion, but the Tigers fell just short of a fourth-consecutive team championship at the Class 3A girls state golf meet on May 28-29 at the Pheasant Ridge Golf Course.
The Tigers were coming off the two best team scores in 3A history during the 2024 and 2025 seasons when they shot a 608 over 36 holes at Pheasant Ridge and a 611 at the Saddleback Ridge course in Solon. They started off strong on May 28, shooting a 308 over the first 18 holes to take an eight-stroke lead over the rest of the field.
But on Day 2 Wahlert Catholic got hot. The Golden Eagles carded a 306 to beat Gilbert and Cedar Rapids Xavier by 12 strokes for the top team score on the day.
Wahlert’s impressive showing on Day 2 was just enough to nudge them in front of Gilbert by four strokes for the team title. The Golden Eagles finished with a 622 and Gilbert had to settle for second with a 626.
Depth carried Wahlert Catholic to the title. Both Gilbert and Wahlert had three golfers score in the top 15 individually, but the Golden Eagles had a fourth golfer place in the top 20 and that was the difference.
Despite coming up just short of title No. 4 in a row, the Gilbert girls had no reason to hang their heads.
“It’s been very special,” said Gilbert senior Ava Lohrbach. “I’ve always had a team I’ve loved coming back to, so that’s always exciting. We celebrate every single win with our team, so that’s really fun. I just wish I could’ve done better.”
Lohrbach did make sure the 3A individual state championship remained at Gilbert, and in her family, for the fourth year in a row.
Lohrbach won her second straight 3A individual title after shooting an outstanding 7 under 137 to beat Wahlert’s Elin Mueller by five strokes for the victory.
Lohrbach finished at least 7 under for the second state meet in a row after winning last year’s 3A individual crown with an 8 under 136 at the Saddleback Ridge Course in Solon. Lohrbach, a Drake recruit, joined her older sister Eden as a repeat state champion.
Eden, a current women’s golfer at Nebraska, won the 2023 and 2024 3A individual titles after placing second in both 2021 and 0222.
Ava shot a 6 under 66 over the first 18 holes on May 28. She finished with a 1 under 71 on May 29.
Ava led Mueller by five strokes after the first day, and the two were even on Day 2 to allow Ava to end her high school career with back-to-back titles.
“It feels great,” Lohrbach said. “I knew I came out here shooting good the first day, but I knew I’d have to come back doing it again. I was happy with how I played, but I was pretty frustrated. I left a lot of shots out on the course. I wish I could have done better for the team.”
Ava’s twin sister Ella, also a Drake signee, followed up last year’s 3A runner-up effort by placing fifth with a 7 over 151. Benton’s Halle Sobaski took third with a 147 and Xavier’s Halley Morris was fourth with a 148.
Elisabeth Thompson also placed in the top 15 individually for Gilbert with a 12th-place score of 158. Norah Martens finished 41st with a 180, Addie Winter was 54th with a 189 and Ruby Roberge 59th with a 192 to round out the Tigers’ scoring.
The Lohrbach twins are looking forward to Drake next year.
“It’s going to be exciting,” Ava Lohrbach said. “We love the coach there and the team. I’m excited for who is coming in and who is already there. I’m just excited to go be with a great team and just continue golfing.”
Roland-Story claims 2A girls team title
Roland-Story earned its second 2A girls golf team championship in four years with an impressive showing at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown.
The Norse won the 2023 2A state title, placed second in 2024 and fifth last year before winning it again on May 28-29 at the American Legion course.
Roland-Story shot a 688 to score an impressive 23-stroke margin over Mid-Prairie for first. The Golden Hawks finished with a 711.
Roland-Story coach Larry Ammerman said one word described how his team pulled off another state title.
“Determination,” said Ammerman. “Big time. I’m so proud of this team. They reached down and got it done these last two days.”
Norse senior Brinley Carlson, a UNI recruit, placed fifth individually to give her four top-seven individual performances at state. She placed seventh as a freshman, sixth as a sophomore, and seventh again last year before finishing up with a career-high place on May 29.
Carlson carded a 13 over 155 at the 2026 meet. She shot a 79 over the first 18 holes and shaved three strokes off that score on Day 2.
Carlson’s little sister Hadley was 20th individually at Marshalltown. She shot an 86 on Day 1 and cut three strokes off that on the second day to score a 169.
Morgan Thompson took third on the team and 29th overall with a 181. Keely Oberender finished 42nd with a 189, Jenna Birkland took 48th with a 193 and Hannah Bates placed 61st with a 205.
“We didn’t know how successful we could be,” Ammerman said. “They put in the time and effort. This is a milestone I hope they never forget. A fantastic group of girls.”
New Hampton’s Kiersten Nuss claimed the 2A individual title with a 3 over 145. Oelwein’s Grace Lewis finished second with a 148 and Jesup’s Morgan Krall was third with a 151.
Jessie Lohman places 22nd in 4A
Ames had one golfer compete in the 4A girls state golf meet at the Waverly Golf Course on May 28-29 in Waverly.
Jessie Lohman, a member of the Little Cyclones 2025 4A state championship team, took 22nd individually at the 2026 meet.
Lohman shot a 21 over round of 161 over the two days. She carded an 83 on Day 1 and cut five strokes off that score on the second day to finish her career on a high note.
Pleasant Valley won its third 4A girls state golf team championship in four years.
The Spartans dominated the competition, beating Waukee Northwest by 40 strokes for the championships. Pleasant Valley finished with an impressive 587 over 36 holes on the Waverly Golf Course in Waverly and Northwest scored a 627.
Pleasant Valley also produced the individual champion in 4A as Camille Wood won a playoff with Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Kylie Wachtl after they both shot a 3 under 137 over the two days.
Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ava Lohrbach repats as 3A individual girls golf state champion
Reporting by Joe Randleman, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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