NIACC's Maasch, Tusler qualify for nationals

ANKENY - NIACC's Brooke Maasch and Courtney Tusler are heading to nationals.

The two NIACC women's golfers earned their trip to the NJCAA national women's golf tournament with top 12 performances at the NJCAA Region XI tournament on Friday.

Saturday's second round was called off due to inclement weather.

Maasch tied for 10th with a Friday round of 90, which was her season's best round. Tusler tied for 12th with her round of 95 on Friday.

"This was obviously a bittersweet moment for us," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "I'm very excited that freshmen Brooke Maasch and Courtney Tusler played well on Friday to get themselves into good position if this happened (Saturday).

"At the same time, the cut was 96 and the other three, Alyssa Purman (97), Katelyn Loegering (99) and Kelli Wilson (100) each had a chnage to make it if it could have been played."

NIACC placed fourth as a team with a 381. Iowa Western was the team champion with a 321. DMACC was second with a 342, Iowa Central was third with a 362 and Southwestern was fourth with a 417.

It is the 11th straight season that Frenz has had at least one women's golfer qualify for the national tournament.

The national tournament is set for May 15-18 in Duluth, Ga.