NIACC places 6th at regional tournament

RIVERSIDE - The NIACC men's golf team opened placed sixth at the NJCAA Region XI tournament Sunday at the Blue Top Ridge Golf Course.

NIACC shot 334-337-321 - 992 in the 54-hole tournament.

Kirkwood won the (297-306-298 - 901). Iowa Central (289-316-298 - 903) placed second DMACC (313-328-313 - 954) placed third. All three teams qualified for the NJCAA Division II national tournament.

 "I'm proud of the way the guys approached the day (Sunday)," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "It's always hard to focus when you know you're out of the team championship.

"But we were determined to play better (Sunday) and as a team we did that. We know we let an opportunity slip away, but these guys will learn from this and come back hungry next year."

NIACC was led by freshman JJ Wickman, who placed 15th with a 82-80-81 - 243.

Kirkwood's James Morgan was the regional individual medalist with a 70-76-72 - 218. Northeast CC's Ty Heimes shot a 80-76-79 - 235 and Hawkeye CC's Austin Reynolds shot a 79-84-78 - 241 earned the two individual spots for the national tournament.

Also for the Trojans, Kai Nelles tied for 21st with a 83-88-78 - 249, Jack Barragy tied for 25th with a 83-90-78 - 251, Beau Thompson placed 29th with a 87-83-84 - 254 and John Doherty placed 34th with a 86-86-90 - 262.

"I'll really miss Beau Thompson's leadership and heart," Frenz said. "He's been a great teammate and great friend for me.

"This team had a lot of heart and we had a lot of fun and that's why it's tough for this to end."

Team standings - Kirkwood 297-305-298 - 901; Iowa Central 289-316-298 - 903; DMACC 313-328-313 - 954; Hawkeye CC 321-342-316 - 979; Northeast CC 331-317-333  - 981; NIACC 334-337-321 - 992; Iowa Lakes 341-338-328 - 1,000; Southwestern 323-345-337 - 1,005; Southeastern 344-385-343 - 1,072.