Trojans place 9th at district tournament

PANORA - The NIACC men's golf team placed ninth Tuesday at the NJCAA North Central District Championships at the Lake Panorama National Golf Course.

NIACC shot rounds of 341-333-335 - 1,009 to earn its ninth-place finish. Kirkwood was the district champion with a 315-313-319 - 947.

DMACC and Iowa Lakes also qualified for the NJCAA Division II national tournament with second and third-place finishes, respectively, in a two-day, three-round tournament played in extremely windy conditions. The Bears shot 312-315-324 and the Lakers shot 328-310-324 - 962.

"It was a tough way to end the season with these weather conditions," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, "but I love the way the guys got after it the past few days.

"The results weren't what we wanted but the effort was there."

Sophomores Kai Nelles and Bryce Malchow wrapped up their NIACC careers at the district tournament. Nelles tied for 26th with a 86-77-86 - 249 and Malchow placed 35th (86-86-83 - 255.

"I can't say enough about what Kai Nelles and Bryce Malchow has meant to me and this team," Frenz said. "They are great young men and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for them. They've set the example for the freshmen."

Also for the Trojans, freshman Tim Castle tied for 32nd with a 87-84-82 - 253 and freshman Jackson Koebernick tied for 36th (86-86-84 - 256). Freshman Anders Palmquist shot 96 on Tuesday.

 "I'm looking forward to the team coming back next year," Frenz said. "This group will do what it takes to get better for next year during the off-season. I'm already looking forward to next fall."

Team standings - Kirkwood 315-313-319 - 947, DMACC 312-315-324 - 951, Iowa Lakes 328-310-324 - 962, Southeast CC 324-317-320 - 971, Iowa Central 319-319-335 - 973, Southwestern 320-325- 328 - 973, Northeast CC 325-329-320 - 974, Hawkeye CC 334-326-339 - 999, NIACC 341-333-335 - 1,009, Southeastern 367-361-360 - 1,088, Central CC-Columbus 369-365-360 - 1,094.