Trojans sit in 2nd at Grand View Invitational

ANKENY - The NIACC women's golf team is in second place after the first day Monday at the Grand View University Fall Invitational at Otter Creek Golf Course.

The Trojans shot a first-day round of 328 and trail host Grand View, which shot a team round of 308. The 328 by the Trojans is five shot off their best round of the fall of 323 at the Hawkeye CC Redtail Classic.

"It was an outstanding day for the Trojans (Monday)," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, "as the team put together a very solid all-around team score."

NIACC was led by freshman Meghan DeLong, who shot a career best round of 70, which is the lowest score in the Frenz era. Grand View's Megan Riesselman is in second place heading into Tuesday's final 18 holes with a 74.

DeLong, who has won five tournaments this fall, broker her previous personal best round of 71 at the Hawkeye CC Redtail Classic. DeLong recorded four birdies enroute to her 1-under par round of 70.

"She is just visualizing every shot so well right now and is doing the job of pulling off the shot," Frenz said. "Her putting has been very good and her course management has been stellar."

Grand View's Jaya West and Kate Rahfeldt are tied for third with a pair of 76s.

NIACC's Addy Boell and Paige Danger are tied for sixth in the individual medalist competition with a pair of 83s. The 83s by Boell and Danger were career-best rounds.

"Having Paige and Addy come through with their best scores of the year on the course we're going to be playing the regional tournament is awesome," Frenz said. "Paige is controlling her driver well and her putting has been spot on and that's something she's been working on.

"Addy Boell is rolling. I still think it just took a little time to adjust to college golf, going to college, living away from home. She hits the ball long off the tee and her short game is now dialed in."

The Trojans' Danielle Randick shot a career-best 92 and Ashley Berven shot a round of 97. NIACC's Kaiya Holten shot a round of 110.

"I'm also very pleased with Danielle (Monday)," Frenz said. "That's her best score, too and we need that type of effort out of the fifth position.

"Now, we need to focus (Tuesday) and follow up (Monday) with another good day," Frenz said.

Team standings - Grand View University 308, NIACC 328, DMACc 343, Missouri Baptist 353, Iowa Lakes 380.

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

Meghan DeLong 70 (Day 1, Grand View Invitational) (10-14-24)

Meghan DeLong 71 (Hawkeye CC Redtail Classic) (10-4-24)

Meghan DeLong 72 (Waldorf University Invitational) (9-29-24)

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

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

Meghan DeLong 73 (Waldorf University Challenge) (9-30-24)

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

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

Meghan DeLong 77 (Day 2, Buena Vista Fall Invitational) (9-22-24)

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)

Meghan DeLong 78 (Day 1, Buena Vista Fall Invitational) (9-21-24)

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)