Webster City senior Katie Casady (above) will tee off in the opening round of the girls’ Class 3A state golf tournament at 9 a.m. this morning in Adel. She’s a repeat state qualifier. DFJ file photo/Troy Banning

WEBSTER CITY — The best golf of Katie Casady’s life occurred one week ago and it enabled her to navigate her way through a loaded Class 3A regional field and onto the girls’ state tournament for the second straight season.

Webster City head coach Billy Bertran’s message to his senior now: Why stop there?

“Hopefully Katie realizes that she’s good enough to be a medal contender,” Bertran said. “Knowing how she’s been playing recently … I would think she would feel confident going into it.”

The 2022 3A state meet from River Valley Golf Course in Adel will get started with the first round this morning at 9 a.m. Round 2 will tee off at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

Casady, a two-time state qualifier, will be out to improve upon last year’s 47th-place finish on the same course. Twelve months ago, the then WCHS junior was just happy to be a part of the field, as she fired rounds of 105 and 107 over the 36-hole event.

Sure, she’s happy to be going back for a second time. But this time Bertran says he and his pupil will make the journey with a purpose.

“I’m really excited for her because I think she can go down there and place,” Bertran said. “Based on regionals and our practice round on Monday when she shot an 86, she’s got a really good chance to do well. Before she starts, I’m just going to tell her, ‘Katie, there’s a reason you’re here again.’ And it’s definitely an edge after playing in (the state tournament) last year.”

Casady earned her spot in the field by shooting a career-low round of 79 at the regional in Clear Lake last week. That placed her in a tie for third, and she trailed only Meghan and Rebecca DeLong of Clear Lake, both of whom were top-seven finishers at the state meet a season ago.

Bertran says as long as Casady plays her game, she should score well. Casady isn’t a bomber off the tee, but she hits the ball straight and relies on her short game to shave strokes off the card.

“It’s not like she hits it a mile, but she rarely gets in trouble and she’s good with her short game,” he said. “When she’s 120 yards and in, that’s where she shines.”

Gilbert sophomore Eden Lohrbach returns as well to see if she can defend the individual title she captured a season ago. Four of the top seven finishers return, including Humboldt’s Nora Carlson, who was fifth.

In the team race, 2021 state runner-up Gilbert and third-place finisher Clear Lake are likely contenders. Washington, last year’s state champion, is back as well with a host of new players on the roster.

AT A GLANCE

What: Girls’ Class 3A state golf tournament.

When: Today (9 a.m. start) and tomorrow (8:30 a.m. start).

Where: River Valley Golf Course, Adel.

Teams in field: Humboldt, Sioux Center, Gilbert, ADM, Washington, Lisbon, Clear Lake, West Delaware, Dubuque Wahlert and Solon.

Team favorites: Gilbert hasn’t been beaten this season and Clear Lake has a strong lineup, but don’t count out 2021 champion Washington or Dubuque Wahlert.

Individuals to watch: Gilbert sophomore Eden Lohrbach is the defending champion and odds on favorite to repeat. She shot rounds of 76 and 73 a season ago … Clear Lake’s Meghan DeLong was third in 2021, while sister Rebecca DeLong placed seventh … Humboldt’s Nora Carlson returns after last season’s fifth-place performance … Webster City’s Katie Casady was 47th a season ago, but is currently playing the best golf of her career.