2026 Discmania Challenge | FPO R2B9 | Mertsch, Hansen, Mandujano, Laine | Jomez Disc Golf
The back nine of round two for the 2026 Discmania Challenge brings high-energy competition to Pickard Park in Indianola, Iowa. Presented by True Bank, this segment features commentary from Erica Stinchcomb and Madison Walker as they analyze the intense duel between Cat Mertsch and Ella Hansen, who are pulling away from the rest of the field. Valerie Mandujano, sitting eight strokes back, delivers solid golf but struggles to match the blistering pace set by the leaders. The broadcast highlights the legendary par five on hole 10, a challenging layout at the top of a hill that requires precise shot placement. Commentators discuss the strategic importance of landing second shots near a specific tree to ease the third shot, while also noting the difficulty of playing the slope with OB hazards surrounding the fairway. Viewers get insight into the mental and physical adjustments players make to handle the windless conditions, contrasting them with previous years of harsh weather. The video captures the tension of key moments, including Heidi’s cautious approach to the OB line, Cat’s aggressive over-cranking drive, and Ella’s tricky approach shot that teeters on the edge of success. This clip offers fans a closer look at the advanced disc golf techniques and tactical decision-making that define top-level professional play.
Watch expert disc golf battles between Mertsch, Hansen & more at the intense Discmania Challenge event.
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Hello and welcome to the back nine of round two of the 2026 Discmania Challenge presented by True Bank. We are back at Pickard Park in Indianola, Iowa. I'm Erica Stinchcomb. >> I'm Madison [clears throat] Walker. We're the two hockey's. Honk. Uh Cat Merchan Ella Hansen putting on a all kinds of shows out there. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, and we're putting on a show for you here. >> [laughter] >> Um those two definitely pulling away. Valerie Mandujano at eight down is eight strokes back the lead. That's nuts. >> That is nuts. And she's playing really solid golf as well. It's crazy that it's not keeping up with the pace of Cat and Ella right now. >> Mhm. Yeah, the rest of the field a lot closer a little bit under par through about the top 15 or so. Hole 10 is a legendary par five here. We're at the top of the hill, but we kind of we still haven't quite made it there. We got to throw a couple shots to get all the way up. Ideally your second shot lands at this tree or a little bit past it to really make the third shot a lot easier, but it's always a little bit of a tester. Um a gut check we called it yesterday. There's OB all around it and the slope of the hill down and then also left to right [music] really makes it hard to get your disc to stick. It's nice to play this with no wind. I can just when I step up to this tee pad I can just feel the trauma of those years when it's just 30 mile per hour ripping wind up here. You're like looking at your disc and it's just blowing around your hands. You're like I don't even know what to throw here. >> Just something at the trees. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Heidi pushing the OB line as much as you can while staying safe. Cat really over cranking that one. She can still save par, but it's going to take a lot of work. Love this play. Centered up. >> as it's not centered up behind that tree. >> She'll be I think okay. We've all been there. Ella just a little bit early. Oh, but it's going to work out. And then it's not. And then it...
