NIACC's Barragy earns trip to national tournament

ANKENY - Once again, the NIACC women's golf team will be represented at the national tournament.

NIACC freshman Jordyn Barragy earned the final qualifying spot for the NJCAA Division I national tournament by winning a two-hole playoff over Southwestern's Ashton Carter. Barragy sunk a 20-foot par putt from off the green on hole No. 9 at Otter Creek Golf Course on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon.

"I couldn't be more happy for Jordyn in making the national tournament," said NIACC coach Chris Frenz, who will be taking at least one women's golfer to the national tournament for the 13th straight season. "She played very well during the first three rounds in good conditions and did just enough in miserable conditions to get there."

Saturday's final round was trimmed to nine holes due to inclement weather. The top team (Iowa Western) and top 10 individuals not on the winning team qualified for the four-round national tournament.

Barragy shot a 51 on Saturday and finished with a 91-86-88-51 - 316 to become the 22nd women's golfer in the Frenz era to qualify for the national tournament, which is set for May 13-16 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

"She's such a good competitior and has that Clear Lake mentality of 'I'm not going to lose.' I think the course in Daytona will fit her just fine. She hits the ball a long ways off the tee and you need that length there."

Also for the Lady Trojans, Sydney Fullerton shot 89-93-87-50 - 319, Morgan Luecht shot 92-87-88-54 - 321 and Ashley Alert sot 94-95-90-49 - 328.

"As excited as I am for Jordyn, I'm equally disappointed for the other three," Frenz said. "They've shown great sophomore leadership and I'm really going to miss them next year.

"We only played nine holes (Saturday) due to really poor playing conditions and that really hurt Morgan and Sydney because they both played well and put themselves in a position to go, but when you can't feel your hands it's hard to play good golf."

NIACC placed fourth in the team standings with a 63-hole total of 366-361-353-204 - 1,284. Iowa Western was the regional champ for the ninth straight year with a total of 1,150 and Iowa Lakes was second with 1,205.

"I'm proud of this team's efforts and for what they've done for NIACC women's golf," Frenz said. "It better be warm and sunny in Daytons, because Jordyn deserves that."

Final team standings

1. Iowa Western - 1,150

2. Iowa Lakes - 1,205

3. DMACC - 1,271

4. NIACC - 1,284

5. Southwestern - 1,340

ICCAC Qualifiers

*All-Tournament Team