NIACC men place 4th at Hawkeye CC Spring Invite

WATERLOO - The NIACC men's golf team placed fourth at the Hawkeye CC Spring Invitational on Friday at the At Irv Warren Golf Course with a round of 305.

Host Hawkeye CC was the team champion with a 296. Wartburg College was second with a 298 and Mount Mercy University was third with a 302.

"We didn't have our best (Friday)," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, "but as a team we hung in there with a great effort from John Doherty, Kai Nelles and Tyler Eaton.

John Doherty led the Trojans with a 72, which tied for fourth in the individual medalist competition. The 72 by Doherty was one of his career best collegiate round of 71.

NIACC's Kai Nelles and Tyler Eaton tied for sixth in the individual medalist competition with a pair of 74s. Beau Thompson shot a 78.

Nelles matched his career best round with his 74 and Eaton's 74 was his best as a collegiate golfer by eight strokes.

"I was glad to see Tyler Eaton play like the Tyler Eaton I know," Frenz said of the former Clear Lake golfer. "He's been struggling to put things together this spring, but (Friday) he was really good and I'm proud of him to keep working hard to improve."

Also for the Trojans, JJ Wickman and Jack Barragy both shot 81 and Hunter Heintz shot 86.

"Beau Thompson continued to play solid," Frenz said. "JJ and Jack just couldn't get it going (Friday) but it wasn't because lack of effort.

"We're learning to battle through some adversity. We've had a nice week and a half. It would be great to get a win so we're a little frustrated by that but we know we can compete."

NIACC returns to action Thursday at the Redtail Spring Shootout at the Fox Ridge Golf Course in Dike.