Berger leads Trojans on day 1 at Graceland Invite

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Bennett Berger shot a 75 to lead the NIACC men's golf team Friday during the first day of the Graceland University Spring Invitational at the Mozingo Lake Golf Course.

Berger leads the tournament by one shot over Southwestern's Elliot Lorentzon, who shot a 76.

NIACC, which is sixth place after the first 18 holes with a 331, also received a 78 from Garrett Ham.

"Conditions were really tough (Friday) as winds were sustained at 20-25 mph and gusting up to 35-40 mph throughout the day," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "Bennett Berger has the day one lead by one shot and Garrett Ham is only three shots off the lead.

"Bennett and Garrett were both mentally tough and did a great job of staying in the moment."

Also for the Trojans, Ashtin Willms shot 86, Brody Frayne whot 92 and Kyler Glenn shot 93.

"Team wise, it's disappointing that we have two individuals at the top of the leaderboard," Frenz said, "but we're in sixth place overall. We're only 14 strokes behind so with some good scores (Saturday) we can make a move. it's our first tournament of th year so we'll come out (Saturday) and work hard to get better."

Playing as individuals for NIACC, Gavin Anderson shot 84, Tommy Birdsell shot 87, Ian Roske shot 89 and Drew DeGabriele shot 89.