NIACC's Eckenrod ties for medalist honors at Waldorf Invite

ALBERT LEA - NIACC sophomore Austin Eckenrod tied for individual meet medalist honors at the Waldorf University Invitational Sunday with a 36-38 - 74 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

Eckenrod's 74 helped lead the Trojans to a third-place finish in the eight-team invitational with a team total of 319. Grand View was the team champion with a 305 and host Waldorf was second with a 306.

It was the second time in his collegiate career that Eckenrod earned individual medalist honors as he share medalist honors at last fall's Iowa Wesleyan Invitational.

"Austin had been playing well and (Sunday) his putter helped him out a lot," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "He's got a mental toughness to his game and when things get clicking it's fun to watch.'

Also for the Trojans on Sunday, Matthew Heinemann shot 39-40 - 79, Zach Martin shot 37-43 - 80, Jackson Hamlin shot 40-46 - 86 and Beau Thompson shot 40-46 -86.

Other scores for the Trojans were Charles Lorenz (46-40 - 86), Peter Stadhiem (44-44 - 88) and Jackson French (45-47 - 92).

Frenz said Sunday's conditions were less than ideal.

"It was a tough test for us up here (Sunday)," the coach said. "This is a links style course and with the weather conditions we played in it felt like we were on the coast of Scotland."

NIACC returns to action Tuesday at the Iowa Wesleyan Invitational.

"We're looking forward to defending our title we won last fall," Frenz said.

Team standings - Grand View 305, Waldorf 306, NIACC 319, Central White 321, Hawkeye CC 338, Grand View B 343, Central Gray 343, Hawkeye CC B 419.