After day one of the Class 3A state golf tournament in Ames, Knoxville and Pella are in a tight race for a trophy finish. It’s advantage Panthers after day one, as here is the top ten in 3A team socres after 18 holes of play at Veenker Memorial Golf Course:

1. Gilbert: +26 (314)
2. Solon: +38 (326)
3. Knoxville: +51 (339)
4. ADM: +54 (342)
5. Pella: +59 (347)
6. Newton: +61 (349)
7. Spencer: +63 (351)
8. Webster City: +68 (356)
9. MOC-Floyd Valley: +72 (360)
10. Washington: +95 (383)

Gilbert has a strong lead over the field, with Solon the only likely team to catch the defending champions barring an incredible day for those chasing and a difficult one for the Tigers. The Panthers and Dutch are among five teams likely in the hunt for a 3rd place finish.

Knoxville’s Evan Smith is in 2nd among individuals, at two-over 74, five shots from leader Hogan Hansen of Waverly-Shell Rock. Will Simpson of Pella is 5th overall at four-over. Ayden Gordon of the Dutch is t-9th among individuals at eight-over 80. Play resumes this morning in Ames (tee-times below). Smith and Simpson would likely need a well-below par day combined with a tougher 18-hole performance for the defending individual champion Hogan to contend for meet medalist.

Knoxville:
Evan Smith – 74
Beau Leisure – 83
Carson Uitermarkt – 86
Kail Arkema – 96
Noah Keefer – 107
George Gilbert – 117

Pella:
Will Simpson – 74
Ayden Gordon – 80
Cade McGinley – 95
AJ Hoekstra – 96
Simon THoreson – 99
Keagen Miedema – 113

Tee times:
9:00 AM – Keagen Miedema
9:10 AM – Simon Thoreson
9:20 AM – AJ Hoekstra
9:30 AM – Cade McGinley
9:40 AM – Ayden Gordon
9:50 AM – Will Simpson
10:00 AM – George Gilbert
10:10 AM – Noah Keefer
10:20 AM – Kail Arkema
10:30 AM – Carson Uitermarkt
10:40 AM – Beau Leisure
10:50 AM – Evan Smith