DES MOINES — The Ottumwa girls golf squad is in the driver’s seat and headed toward the homestretch.

Head coach Dusty Stewart and his Bulldogs are the favored frontrunner to take the Class 4A state championship this year and make it back-to-back state crowns.

The general consensus will tell one that.

Now it’s time to finish strong and pick up some steam for the postseason push with just three regular season meets left before regionals and state.

Whether or not the Bulldogs are the legitimate favorite to win it all can be debated, but it doesn’t change the Bulldogs’ mindset.

“Every meet we are there for a reason. To win that meet and improve our games,” said Stewart.

Ottumwa shouldn’t have to worry about another tiebreaker the rest of the ’08 regular season. They’ve already encountered two in defense of their ’07 state title.

“Everything we do is preparation for regionals and state. We’re playing some easier courses toward the end of the season. Hopefully that will help the girls confidence,” said Stewart.

It was far from that close at the CIML Metro Schools Triangular at Grandview Golf Course in Des Moines on Tuesday.

Ottumwa made it 22 wins in a row with a 71-stroke thumping of Des Moines Hoover/Roosevelt. Ottumwa shot a season-low score of 157.

“It’s a pretty impressive winning streak. A lot of people would say that,” said Stewart.

Des Moines East/Lincoln/North brought up the rear of the three-team field with a nine-hole score of 252.

Ottumwa senior Sarah Paulson shot a two-under par 33 for medalist. Twin sister Kristin was runner-up with an even par 35.

Ottumwa carded freshman Katie Maher’s 43 and senior Betsy Anderson’s 46 for their final tally.

Ottumwa finishes the regular season at home versus Fairfield on Friday. Ottumwa hosts the CIML Metro Conference Meet this coming Tuesday and ends the season at home versus Washington on Thursday, May 15.