FORT DODGE – The NIACC women’s golf team claimed the Iowa Central Invitational with a season-low score of 338 Monday at the Fort Dodge Country Club.
Meet medalist Alexandria Eckenrod led the way for the Lady Trojans with a 39-40 – 79.
“Alexandria was outstanding today in all facets of her game,” NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. “She is driving the ball consistently, the short game is solid and her putting is pretty good, too.”
Buena Vista was second with a 355 and DMACC was third with a 356.
Also for NIACC, sophomore Sarah Steinauer tied for second with a 38-43 – 81. Other counting scores were sophomore Mikayla Smith (42-44 – 86) and Moriah Sherman (45-47 – 92).
“There are a lot of positives right now with Sarah’s game too,” Frenz said, “and for that matter all the girls playing well.
“We are very pleased with where we are right now as we prepare for the regional tournament next week. We tighten up a few loose ends and we should be solid.”
NIACC’s previous low round this season was a 354 during the second day of the AIB Invitational on April 13.
The NIACC men placed sixth with a 312. Kirkwood was the team champion with a 303 and AIB was second with a 305.
“It’s amazing that we only lost by 9 strokes and still finished sixth in the overall standings,” Frenz said. “That’s how tight our league is and every shot is big, so our concentration has to be there for all 18 holes of the tournament.”
Freshman Levi Fink tied for fourth in the medalist competition with a 39-35 – 74. Kirkwood’s Ryan Johnson, DMACC’s Tanner Ludwig and Ben Nath of Iowa Lakes tied for medalist honors with 73s.
“Levi Fink has just been outstanding this spring,” Frenz said. “For a freshman to play the way he is, it’s exactly what I thought I was getting when I signed him.”
Sophomore Dalton Olson and freshman Kevin Trobaugh were next in line with a pair of 79s.
“This was a great test today and I thought we came out of it pretty good,” Frenz said. “We still haven’t played our best and yet we’re hanging in there.”
The NIACC junior varsity team placed 12th with a 344. Freshman Joe Myers led the way with a 78.
“I was also encouraged with the play today of Joe Myers, who played on our B squad,” Frenz said, “but showed he may have the moxie to move up into the top 5.”
Both NIACC teams return to action Sunday at the Iowa Lakes Invitational at Brooks National Golf Course in Okoboji.
WOMEN’S RESULTS
Team standings – NIACC 338, Buena Vista 355, DMACC 356, Iowa Central 366.
NIACC (338) – Alexandria Eckenrod 39-40 – 79, Sarah Steinauer 38-43 – 81, Mikayla Smith 42-44 – 86, Moriah Sherman 45-47 – 92.
MEN’S RESULTS
Team standings – Kirkwood 303, AIB 305, DMACC 309, Iowa Lakes 309, Kirkwood JV 310, NIACC 312, Iowa Central 316, Iowa Lakes JV 323, DMACC JV 325, Ellsworth 334, Iowa Central JV 339, NIACC JV 344, SWCC 431.
NIACC (312) – Levi Fink 39-35 – 74, Dalton Olson 37-42 – 79, Kevin Trobaugh 39-40 – 79, Jacob Urdahl 39-41 – 80, Chris Hall 44-45 – 89.
NIACC JV (344) – Joe Myers 38-40 – 78, Logan Jarvis 45-42 – 87, Tyler Fischer 40-47 – 87, Derrick Urdahl 46-46 – 92, Darin Kingery 45-47 – 92.
