T-R PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER - Marshalltown’s Harper Wilson pitches onto the fifth green during Tuesday’s dual meet against Waterloo East at Elmwood Country Club. Wilson was the runner-up medalist for the meet with her round of 46 over the front nine at Elmwood, helping the Bobcats to a 177-292 victory over the visiting Trojans.

T-R PHOTO BY JAKE RYDER - MHS senior Natalie Henson follows through on her approach to the first green during Tuesday’s meet at Elmwood Country Club.

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The Marshalltown girls’ golf team teed up and teed off on Waterloo East on Tuesday, taking down the Trojans 177-292 in the season-opening dual meet at Elmwood Country Club.

The Bobcats’ junior varsity squad beat Waterloo East, too, 256-292, to accentuate Marshalltown’s dominance in the opener.

The Marshalltown varsity squad scored the six lowest rounds of the meet across Elmwood’s front nine holes, and the Bobcat JV followed with five of the next six best scores.

MHS senior Natalie Henson, who has signed with Nebraska-Omaha, claimed medalist honors with a 3-over-par round of 38 that included a closing birdie on the par-4 ninth hole.

Harper Wilson and Gaby Estabrook shared the second-best score of 46, with Wilson winning runner-up medalist honors on a cardback. Morgan Hilderbrand (47) rounded out the varsity scoring, followed by fellow Bobcats Emma Clawson (57) and Hanna Osgood (58).

Hallie Kuhlers led the junior varsity squad with a 58 as well, and MHS marched to a lopsided win on the day.

“Overall, a strong start to the season,” said MHS head coach Lucas Johnson. “Natalie Henson had a nice birdie to close out her round after driving the green on hole nine. I was happy for Morgan Hilderbrand to put together a solid counting score in her first round of high school golf.

“Getting four scores in the 40s or better is going to be key for us to be competitive moving forward, especially the better teams in the state this season.”

Marshalltown has a week to prepare for its next meet, an Iowa Alliance Conference North Division dual against Mason City on April 15 at the American Legion Memorial Golf Course.

“We have plenty to work on moving forward, especially controlling our speed on the greens, but there’s much to be pleased with for the first go-round of the year,” Johnson said.

Marshalltown 177, Waterloo East 292

Elmwood Country Club, front nine, par 35

Medalist — Natalie Henson, MHS, 38; Runner-up — Harper Wilson, MHS, 46.

WATERLOO EAST (292) — Briana Borseth 66, Anna Werning 73, Ellie Rasenen 75, Charlee Carrier 78, Liberty Pfalzgraph 80.

MARSHALLTOWN (177) — Henson 38, Wilson 46, Gaby Estabrook 46, Morgan Hilderbrand 47, Emma Clawson 57, Hanna Osgood 58.