NIACC men in 9th at district tournament

WATERLOO - The NIACC men's golf team is in ninth place at the NJCAA North Central District Tournament at the Gates Park Golf Course.

The Trojans shot 311-307 - 618 on the opening day of the 2-day, 54-hole tournament. Kirkwood is the first-day leader with a 289-297 - 586 and DMACC is in second place with a 293-295 - 588.

"The guys are disappointed that we're not closer to the third place national qualifier spot as a team," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, "but we played some of our best golf as a team (Monday).

"Everyone contributed to the cause (Monday) and when one guy stumbled the others picked them up."

NIACC was led by sophomore Tim Castle, who is in a tie for 22nd place with a 76-77 - 153.

"Tim Castle played well but it was frustrating day at the same time," Frenz said. "He hit the ball great and had some really good birdie looks on the first 18 holes, but just couldn't get them to fall.

"He'll need a great day (Tuesday), but he's not out of the hunt yet to get to the national tournament. He knows what he has to do and we'll see if the other guys that he's trying to catch can handle the pressure."

Also for the Trojans, sophomore Jackson Koebernick shot 80-75 - 155, Anders Palmquist shot 78-78 - 156 and Elic Fjetland shot 88-77 - 165.

"Jackson Koebernick had a really good second 18 holes and I was really pleased with how he bounced back. The same with Elic Fjetland, who struggled in the first round but came back nicely with a solid second round. Anders Palmquist was his normal steady self."

NIACC's Tommy Birdsell shot a first round 77.

"Tommy Birdsell has been battling a knee injury all spring and for him to shoot 77 (Monday) was great to see," Frenz said. "I sat him for the second 18 holes so he'd be ready to play on Tuesday."

NIACC's Mitchell Staudt shot a second round 84.

"Mitchell Staudt ended his NIACC career (Monday)," Frenz said, "and I'm just very thankful that I had a chance to coach him.

"He's a tremendous person and I'll really miss him next year."

The final round of the district tournament starts at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Gates Park Golf Course.

"Hopefully, we will play well (Tuesday) and we'll try and move up the team standings," Frenz said.

Team standings - Kirkwood 289-297 - 586, DMACC 293-295 - 588, Northeast CC 300-294 - 594, Southeast CC 298-296 - 594, Iowa Central 300-295 - 595, Alexandria Tech 298-305 - 603, Hawkeye CC 306-302 - 608, Iowa Lakes 318-299 - 617, NIACC 311-307 - 618, Southwestern 314-315 - 629, Central CC-Columbus 321-316 - 637, North Platte CC 320-321 - 641, Southeastern 346-319 - 665.

NIACC MEN'S LOWEST REGIONAL ROUNDS UNDER FRENZ (2006-24)