NIACC's Tusler qualfies for national tournament

ANKENY - For the second straight season, NIACC's Courtney Tusler is going to the national tournament.

Tusler, a sophomore from Osage, placed eighth in the individual medalist competition at the NJCAA Region XI tournament Saturday at Otter Creek Golf Course to punch her return ticket to the NJCAA Division I national tournament.

Tusler is the first NIACC women's golfer to qualify in back-to-back national tournaments since Savannah Lentz qualified in 2015 and 2016.

Tusler recorded rounds of 88-83-90-85 - 346 to lead the Lady Trojans, who placed fourth with a team total of 361-359-375-353 - 1,448.

Iowa Western won the regional team title with a 1,321. DMACC was second with a 1,374 and Southeastern was third with a 1,414.

Iowa Western and the next 10 individuals (not from Iowa Western) will represent the region at the NJCAA Division I national tournament at the Longbow Golf Course in Mesa, Ariz. May 14-17.

Also for NIACC on Saturday, Morgan Luecht shot an 87, Ashley Alert shot an 89, Sydney Fullerton shot a 92 and Katelyn Loegering shot a 97.

For the four-round tournament, Fullerton shot 89-93-90-92 - 364; Luecht shot 92-95-99-87 - 373; Alert shot 98-91-96-89 - 374; and Loegering shot 94-93-100-97 - 384.

Last season, Tusler placed 12th at the one-day regional tournament with a 95. Tusler placed 90th at the national tournament in Braselton, Ga. with a 92-93-94-96 - 375.

NIACC coach Chris Frenz took over the school's golf program in 2007 and has taken at least one golfer to the national tournament in each of his 12 seasons.