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NIACC golf teams open season this weekend

By KIRK HARDCASTLE

NIACC sports information director

MASON CITY – Plenty of experience returns for both the NIACC men’s and women’s golf teams this season.

The NIACC men’s team returns five sophomores from last year’s squad and the women’s team brings back four sophomores, including a pair of golfers (Courtney Tusler and Brooke Maasch) that qualified for the national tournament.

Both teams open their season this weekend at the Graceland University Invitational in Maryville, Mo. The two-day tournament starts Friday at noon with Saturday’s second round starting at 9 a.m. on the Mozingo Lake Golf Course.

Tusler placed 90th at last year’s national tournament in Braselton, Ga. with a low round of 92 and Maasch placed 113th with a low round of 96.

“I think they realize what it takes to get themselves in that position to have a chance to go again this year,” NIACC coach Chris Frenz said of Tusler and Maasch.

Frenz, who has had at least one woman qualify for the national tournament in his first 11 seasons as coach of the Lady Trojans, said his four sophomores all learned about course management during their first season of collegiate golf.

“Positioning your golf ball is critical and I think all of them have learned that you have to play smart,” the coach said. “We need to work on our short games more because I think that could cost all of them around five strokes a round.

“If they can get their scores consistently in the mid to upper 80s, I like their chances of making it to the national tournament in Mesa, Ariz.”

The four-round NJCAA Region XI tournament is slated April 20-21 and April 27-28 in Ankeny and the NJCAA Division I national tournament is slated for May 14-17 in Mesa, Ariz.

Other returning sophomores for the Lady Trojans are Katelyn Loegering and Kelli Wilson. They will be joined by freshmen Ashley Alert, Sydney Fullerton and Morgan Luecht.

The Lady Trojans played in a few tournaments in the fall to help them adjust to collegiate golf.

“It was absolutely helpful,” Frenz said. “The biggest question a freshman has coming in to college golf is do they belong. With the three freshmen I have, they definitely belong.

“Their attitude toward the game, working hard to get better and their overall desire to do the best they can is awesome. I’m expecting really good results from them this spring and I think they are too.”

After the Graceland Invitational, the Lady Trojans play in the Iowa Central Spring Invite on March 31 in Ankeny. They also play in the Iowa Wesleyan Invite on April 3 and host the NIACC Invite on April 16.

“Our league is tough,” Frenz said, “but if we play like we’re capable I definitely believe we have a chance for the team or individuals to qualify for the national tournament.

“It’s tough because our season is so short so they have to be playing well pretty much right out of the gates.”

Returning sophomores for the NIACC men are Anthony Emanuel, Devin Koob, Josh Schaefer, Mitchell Scholl and Jordan Voves. The lone freshman on this year’s roster is Ben Boerjan.

“It is imperative that I get great leadership from the sophomores,” Frenz said. “They have to show the desire and determination to battle through adversity, such as weather or a poor scoring hole.

“Having been through the process last year they know what it’s going to take to win and get to the national tournament this year. It begins with having a great mental approach to each tournament and for that each swing to matter.”

Emanuel shot a 84-77 – 161 at last year’s NJCAA Region XI tournament where the Trojans placed sixth in the team standings.

The NIACC men played in seven tournaments in the fall to help prepare for upcoming spring season.

“We had a rough fall season,” Frenz said. “I don’t think any of them were happy with their overall performance.

“We had some guys play well in a few tournaments, but overall as a team, we struggled. In saying that, we know we’re better than that and I’m really looking forward to the spring season.”

Over spring break, the NIACC golfers played several rounds of golf on a trip to Arizona. Frenz said it was good to get out on a real course and watch the flight of the ball.

“Schools south of us have been able to get out on their courses for the past three or four weeks,” Frenz said. “That’s obviously a big advantage to them in these early tournaments, but we’ll be ready to play when the time comes.”

NIACC hosts the NIACC Invitational on April 16 and the regional tournament is slated for May 5-6 at Lake Panorama Golf Course in Panora.

The NJCAA Divison II national tournament is set for May 21-24 at the Glenlakes Golf Club in Foley, Ala.

“I expect to finish in the top three of our region,” Frenz said, “which would give us an opportunity to go to the national championships. We have play like we’re capable and really focus on each shot and play smart. I like our chances.”

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