NIACC men in 3rd after 1st day at Buena Vista Invitational

STORM LAKE - The NIACC men's golf team sits in third place after the first round of the Buena Vista Fall Invitational on Saturday with a 308 at the Buena Vista University Golf Course.

Nebraska Wesleyan leads seven-team field after the first 18 holes with a 299. Waldorf University is in second place with a 304.

"It was a solid first day for the men," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "We have some work to do, but we're in a good position to go chase the leaders down.

"I was real pleased with how the guys handled the course (Saturday). For never seeing it before, they did a great job of staying in the moment and taking each shot one at a time."

Kai Nelles led NIACC with a 75 and is tied for fifth in the individual medalist competition.

"Kai Nelles continued his solid play this fall," Frenz said, "and it was great to see Bryce Malchow follow up a good tournament last week with another solid performance (Saturday)."

Bryce Malchow shot a 77, Tim Castle and Ryan Berkley both shot 78s and Jackson Koebernick shot an 82.

"Ryan Berkley just really played well tee to green," Frenz said, "and Tim Castle showed me a lot as he played the front (nine) 7-over par but battled back and shot 1-under on the back. Jackson Koebernick had a tough last hole or he would have been in the 70s, as well. We're starting to gel but still have room to improve."

The second round of the tournament is set for Sunday.

Team standings - Nebraska Wesleyan 299, Waldorf University 304, NIACC 308, Wartburg College 310, Buena Vista A 314, Mount Marty College 326, Simpson College 329.