NIACC men in 8th after day one at Eagle Spring Classic

MARION - The NIACC men's golf team is in eighth place after day one at the Kirkwood Eagle Spring Classic on Sunday at Hunters Ridge Golf Course.

The Trojans shot a first-day team total of 330 in the 15-team tournament. Host Kirkwood is the day one leader with a 303.

Mount Mercy University is in second with a 306 and the Kirkwood B team is in third with a 313.

"It was a test of will out there (Sunday)," said NIACC coach Chris Frenz, whose team recorded a 327 on March 22 at the Lake Panorama National Golf Course. "Temperatures were around 45 degrees with gusty winds making it feel like the mid-30s.

"It's hard to grip a golf club and maintain your mental focus when your shivering, but I felt the guys did a great job of battling."

NIACC received three 82s from John Doherty (41-41 - 82), Jack Barragy (44-38 - 82) and Kai Nelles (38-44 - 82). JJ Wickman was the final counting score for the Trojans with a 44-40 - 84.

Other scores for the Trojans were Beau Thompson (44-43 - 87), Hunter Heintz (44-45 - 89), and Tyler Eaton (49-44 - 92).

"No one really got it going (Sunday), but we hung in there and we'll come out and get after it (Monday)," Frenz said. "I was real happy for Hunter Heintz, who shot an 89.

"Hunter's been working hard and on a day like this it was good to see him have one of his better rounds. We'll need to play well to move up in the standings (Monday)."

Team standings - Kirkwood 303, Mount Mercy University 306, Kirkwood B 313, Luther College 314, Concordia (Wis.) 318, Buena Vista 326, Central 329, NIACC 330, Hawkeye CC 340, Viterbo University 341, Wartburg College 342, Mount Mercy University B 346, Upper Iowa 347, Coe College 358, Hawkeye CC B 372.