HUMBOLDT – Dave Brighton understands that his Webster City boys’ golf team will be competing this spring against its own expectations just as much as the slew of opponents that will step up to take a crack at the reigning Class 3A state champions.

Were those expectations met in the season opener? Yes and no. Were the Lynx challenged? Not even in the slightest.

All six players had their high and low moments, and the result was a respectable team score of 154 to easily win the North Central Conference triangular at the Humboldt Country Club on Tuesday.

The host Wildcats were well back in second with a 178. Iowa Falls-Alden brought up the rear with a 198.

“It was not a very friendly day to be playing, but we did pretty well for the conditions,” Brighton said.

The par-36, 2,298-yard track yielded just two birdies to a WCHS squad that returns four players off last spring’s title team.

But it was one of the new faces that left a lasting impact. Connor Shannon carded one of the birdies – he took a four on the par-5 seventh hole – and was steady throughout on his way to a 2-over-par 38. He shared the top spot on the leaderboard with teammate and first-team all-stater Avery Fuhs.

Fuhs was awarded the medalist honor on a card-back. Shannon settled for the runner-up position.

“I’m very happy for Connor,” Brighton said. “It was his first real pressure situation … he had to step up and play well and he did. He hit some nice shots and putted very well.”

Drew Fielder and Alec Fuhs shared the third-place slot; both shot rounds of 39. Nathan Ferrell added a non-counting 40 and Sean Vogelbacher posted a 43.

Ferrell recorded the crew’s other birdie at the par-4 third hole.

Andy Nelson (42) was the low man for Humboldt. RJ Ford (46) owned that distinction for the Iowa Falls-Alden.

The WCHS junior varsity squad actually posted the day’s third-best score – a 189. Bryan Ferrell made an early push to be added to the varsity roster with a round of 39. He took advantage of both par-5’s – the first and seventh holes – by making birdies.

The Lynx will make their home debut at Briggs Woods Golf Course this afternoon for another league triangular against Algona and Hampton-Dumont. Play will get underway at 4:30 p.m.

On Saturday, WCHS will face a strong field during the 18-hole Spencer Invitational, which will tee-off at 9 a.m.