Trojans' DeLong wins NIACC Fall Invite

MASON CITY - NIACC freshman Meghan DeLong claimed individual medalist honors Tuesday at the NIACC Fall Invitational at Highland Park Golf Course with a round of 73.

DeLong helped lead the Trojans to a third-place finish with a 336. Waldorf University was the team champion with a 323 and DMACC was second with a 335.

"This was a geat day for our women's team (Tuesday)," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, "and Meghan DeLong was outstanding.

"A 73 from Meghan really set the tone for the team (Tuesday) and she was dialed in. She really puts a lot of work into her game and her mental approach to every shot is very good."

Waldorf University's Amanda Karvala was second with a 75 and Iowa Central's Ivanna Beccera-Diaz was third with a 76.

The 73 by DeLong is tied for the best round in the Frenz era at NIACC, which started in 2006. Mikayla Smith also shot a 73 at the Iowa Central Invitational on April 16, 2012.

It was the first individual medalist for the NIACC women's golf team since Thea Lunning was the individual medalist at the Hawkeye CC Invitational on April 16, 2021.

Also for the Trojans Tuesday, freshman Ashlyn Berven shot a 83 and tied for eighth in the individual medalist competition.

"Ashlyn Berven's 83 is exactly what she's been trending toward in practice," Frenz said. "She played with a lot of confidence (Tuesday).

NIACC sophomore Paige Danger shot a career-best 87, Addy Boell shot 93 and Danielle Randick shot 95. The Trojans' Kaiya Holten shot 105.

Danger's previous best round was 90 at the 2024 Iowa Central Fall Kickoff on Sept. 9.

"Paige Danger has also been more focused and she shot a personal best and finally broke into the 80s," Frenz said. "That's where she should be and now that she's gotten there, hopefully, that continues.

"I'm also happy for Addy Boell as she's had a couple of rough weeks of practice, but she's kept her head up and battled through it. Danielle and Kaiya will also continue to improve each time out."

NIACC returns to action Saturday and Sunday at the Buena Vista Fall Invitational at the BVU Golf Course at Lake Creek in Storm Lake.

NIACC WOMEN'S TOP 10 ROUNDS UNDER FRENZ (2006-)

Mikayla Smith 73 (Iowa Central Invitational) (4-16-12)

Meghan DeLong 73 (NIACC Fall Invitational (9-17-24)

Alyssa Alert 76 (Day 1, Grand View Viking Invitational (10-10-22)

Alexandria Eckenrod 77 (Iowa Lakes Invitational) (9-23-12)

Mikayla Smith 78 (NIACC Invitational) (4-22-13)

Mikayla Smith 78 (Day 2, NJCAA Region XI Championships) (4-27-13)

Kirsten Boerjan 78 (Day 1, Grand View Viking Invitational (10-10-22) 

Mikayla Smith 79 (Day 2, Iowa Intercollegiate) (3-25-12)

Alexandria Eckenrod 79 (Iowa Central Invitational) (4-15-13)

Thea Lunning 79 (Simpson Invitational) (9-25-19)