STORM LAKE – The NIACC men’s golf team placed second at the Buena Vista University Fall Invitational on Sunday with a 308-300 – 608.
Nebraska Wesleyan was the team champion with a 299-290 – 589.
The 300 by the Trojans was their lowest team total since they shot a 298 at the Hawkeye CC Red Tail Shootout on April 22, 2021.
“Tremendous team effort (Sunday),” NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. “We really gave it all we had – both men and women.
“We have a bunch of competitors on the team and they support each other so well.
NIACC was led by sophomore Bryce Malchow, who tied for third in the individual medalist competition with a 77-72 – 149. Waldorf’s Thomas Houdayer was the individual medalist with a 74-72 – 146.
Malchow’s 72 was a career collegiate best. His previous low score was a 74 earlier this season at the NIACC Fall Invitational.
“Bryce Malchow’s confidence is so much higher than it was last year and our freshman have really fed off that,” Frenz said.
Also for the Trojans, freshman Tim Castle tied for eighth in the individual medalist competition with a 78-74 – 152. Kai Nelles shot a 75-79 – 154, Jackson Koebernick shot a 82-75 – 157 and Ryan Berkley shot a 78-81 – 159.
“Jackson Koebernick has been really close to breaking through and (Sunday) he did,” Frenz said. “Tim Castle is just solid and never backs down from a challenge.
“We moved up a spot from (Saturday) , which is great to see. We look forward to next week.”
NIACC returns to action Wednesday at the Simpson College Invitational in Indianola.
Team standings – Nebraska Wesleyan 299-290 – 589; NIACC 308-300 – 608; Waldorf University 304-307 – 611; Buena Vista University 314-301 – 615; Wartburg College 310-306 – 616; Simpson College 329-308 – 637; Mount Marty College 326-313 – 639; Buena Vista B – 351-348 – 699.
Meanwhile, the NIACC women’s golf team placed third at the Buena Vista University Fall Invitational on Sunday with a 370-362 – 732.
Waldorf University claimed the team title with a 363-331 – 694. Host Buena Vista was second with a 361-358 – 719.
NIACC sophomore Kirsten Boerjan tied for third in the individual medalist competition with a 84-84 – 168. Waldorf’s Amanda Karvala was the individual medalist with a 87-71 – 158.
NIACC’s Alyssa Alert placed fifth with a 87-83 – 170. The 83 by Alert on Sunday matched her personal best collegiate round.
“Both Kirsten and Alyssa played very well this weekend,” NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. “While these are very good rounds, I feel they still have more to gain and so do they.”
Also for the Trojans, Sophie Lunning shot a 93-92 – 185 and Karissa Hoon shot a 106-103 – 209.
“Team-wise, we were pleased that we held on to third place from day one and we just go back to work and get ready for Wednesday.”
NIACC returns to action Wednesday at the Simpson College Invitational in Indianola.
Team standings – Waldorf University 363-331 – 694; Buena Vista University 361-358 – 719; NIACC 370-362 – 732; Nebraska Wesleyan 371-362 – 733; Simpson College 376-359 – 735.
(Photo of medalists Alyssa Alert, Bryce Malchow and Kirsten Boerjan)
