NIACC places 6th at Eagle Spring Classic

MARION - The NIACC men's golf team placed sixth at the Kirkwood Eagle Spring Classic on Monday at Hunters Ridge Golf Course with a 330-327 - 657.

Kirkwood won the 15-team tournament with a 303-299. Mount Mercy University was second with a 306-320 - 626 and the Kirkwood B team was third with a 313-318 - 631.

The Trojans, who were in eighth place after day one, equaled their best round of the year Monday with their round of 327. They also recorded a team score of 327 on March 22 at the Lake Panorama National Golf Course.

"Our goal (Monday) was to move up the leaderboard," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, "and we managed to get up to sixth place."

NIACC was led by freshman Kai Nelles with a 82-79 - 161, which was tied for 20th in the individual medalist competition. Freshman JJ Wickman tied for 22nd in the individual medalist competition with a 84-78 - 162.

"JJ Wickman had a great performance (Monday) in the extremely high winds," Frenz said. "They had to be gusting up to 40 mph at times, but he stayed to his game plan to shoot a 78.

"Kai Nelles also was solid (Monday) with a 79. The wind destroyed him last fall, but he's learned a lot from that and is getting more comfortable in adverse conditions."

Other counting scores for the Trojans were freshman Jack Barragy (82-84 - 166) and freshman John Doherty (82-86 - 168).

"Jack Barragy wasn't pleased with how he finished his round, but really struck the ball well throughout the day so he's real close to breaking through," Frenz said.

Also for the Trojans, Beau Thompson shot 87-95 - 182, Hunter Heintz shot 89-96 - 185 and Tyler Eaton shot 92-94 - 186.

"Overall a sixth place out of 15 teams is pretty solid," Frenz said, "but we know we need to be much better.

"Some nice weather would be welcome."

NIACC returns to action Monday, April 5 at the DMACC Spring Invitational at the Otter Creek Golf Course in Ankeny.

Final team standings - Kirkwood 303-299 - 601, Mount Mercy University 306-320 - 626, Kirkwood B 313-318 - 631, Luther College 314-320 - 634, NIACC 330-327 - 657, Central College 329-329 - 658, Buena Vista 326-336 - 662, Mount Mercy University B 346-327 - 673, Hawkeye CC 340-340 - 680, Viterbo University 341-340 - 681, Wartburg College 342-348 - 690, Upper Iowa 347-355 - 702, Coe College 358-354 - 712, Hawkeye CC B 372-383 - 755.