Trojans in fifth after first day at Battle of Waterloo

WATERLOO - The NIACC men's golf team is in fifth place after 36 holes Friday at the Battle of Waterloo.

The Trojans shot a 303 at the Irv Warren Golf Course and then shot a 307 at South Hills Golf Course for a 36-hole total of 610. DMACC is the first-day leader with a 299-293 - 592 and Hawkeye CC is in second with a 289-309 - 598.

"It was a very good day for the team (Friday)," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "It was great to see the guys really stay focused for 36 holes.

"This is what they need to do in a couple of weeks at the regional tournament. We know we still left a few strokes out there, but this was as good of a back-to-back effort as we've had all year. In the second 18 holes, we were second best."

Sophomore Bryce Malchow led the Trojans with a 76-75 - 151. Freshman Tim Castle was next in line for the Trojans with a 77-75 - 152 and sophomore Kai Nelles shot 76-77 - 153.

NIACC's Elic Fjetland shot 74-80 - 154 and Ryan Berkley shot 83-82 - 165.

Fjetland's 74 was a career best by six strokes. His previous best round was an 80 at the Iowa Wesleyan Spring Tiger Classic on March 28.

"Our goal is to climb into third," Frenz said of Saturday's final 18 holes at Gates Park Golf Course, "but I think we can get there.

"Elic Fjetland's 74 was fantastic. He's been swinging it really well in practice this week and it's great to see that carry over to tournament play. We're looking forward to (Saturday)."

The Trojan foursome of Jackson Koebernick (80-78 - 158), Anders Palmquist (78-82 - 160), Mitchell Staudt (84-87 - 171) and Bennett Suntken (87-91 - 178) is in ninth place with a 329-338 - 667.

Team standings - DMACC 299-293 - 592, Hawkeye CC 289-309 - 598, Grinnell College 290-312 - 602, Wartburg College 296-309 - 605, NIACC 303-307 - 610, Wartburg College B 306-309 - 615, Hawkeye CC B 308-325 - 633, Graceland University 318-315 - 633, NIACC B 329-338 - 667.