Alert leads Trojans at district tournament

ANKENY - NIACC sophomore Alyssa Alert shot an 81 Monday during the first day of the NJCAA Plains District Championship at the Otter Creek Golf Course.

Alert sits in a tie for 18th place in the individual medalist competition heading into Tuesday's second and final round.

"Alyssa Alert played very well (Monday)," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, "and sits four strokes off the cut line at the moment to make it to the national tournament.

"She's in a great position to go out there (Tuesday) and hunt down those players in front of her."

Alert shot a 41 on the front nine and recorded a 40 on the back nine on Monday. The 81 was a season low for Alert, whose previous best round this spring was 84 at the Iowa Wesleyan Spring Tiger Classic on March 28.

"This course suits her game," Frenz said, "so if she plays well, I like her chances."

NIACC is in sixth place with a first day team score of 360. Iowa Western leads the district tournament, which includes regions 6, 9 and 11, with a 302.

Barton County CC is in second with a 306 and Iowa Central is in third with a 322.

Iowa Western's Madi Schlaepfer is the individual leader with a first round 72.The Reivers' Baylie Pike and Barton County's Yu Wei Chiang are tied for second with a pair of 73s.

NIACC's Sophie Lunning shot 91, Emma Weiner shot 93, Kirsten Boerjan shot 95 and Karissa Hoon shot 113.

"The team is disappointed with our overall team score, but we're hanging in there in sixth place," Frenz said. "Sophie Lunning continues to be her steady self.

"She was going sideways for a couple of holes but did a fantastic job of getting back into the round. Emma Weiner gave us another solid effort, too. She's gotten better every time out."

The second round of the district tournament starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

"We all want to end the season with our best team score," Frenz said, "so they'll come out fighting (Tuesday). There's no giving up on the team."

Team standings - Iowa Western 302, Barton County CC 306, Iowa Central 322, DMACC 326, Dodge City CC 336, NIACC 360, Hawkeye CC 375, Fort Scott CC 379, Otero CC 382,