Trojans place 10th at district championships
SIOUX CITY - The NIACC men's golf team placed 10th Tuesday at the NJCAA North Central District Championship at the Whispering Creek Golf Course.
NIACC shot a three-day total of 310-317-309 - 936. Kirkwood won the district title with a three-day total of 289-292-287 - 868.
Also earning national tournament bids from the NJCAA North Central District were host Northeast CC (Neb.) with rounds of 295-287-289 - 871 and Southeast CC (Neb.) with rounds of 295-296-298 - 889.
"The guys gave it their all this week," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "It just wasn't in the cards."
NIACC was led by sophomore Bennett Berger, who tied for 19th with rounds of 76-76-74 - 226.
"I feel for Bennett because he had high expectations coming into the week, which we all did as a team," Frenz said. "He's such an outstanding player and just couldn't get it going.
"He played great at various times and still had a chance at the end but just dug himself into too big a hole."
Berger will play next season at Missouri Western State University.
"As great of a player as he is, he's an ever better person," Frenz said. "It was great to have him on the team this year and he'll do great at Missouri Western."
NIACC sophomore Tommy Birdsell shot a 77 on Tuesday after not playing on Monday. Birdsell shot an opening round 86 on Sunday.
"I'm really glad that Tommy Birdsell finished up his NIACC career with a solid round (Tuesday), Frenz said. "He's battled severe knee injuries since his freshman year and this course was a tough one to walk.
"I appreciate his hard work over the past two years."
Also for the Trojans, freshman Garrett Ham tied for 27th with rounds of 78-76-77 - 231. Freshman Ian Roske shot 78-81-81 - 240 and freshman Ashtin Willms shot 78-85-86 - 249.
"Now these freshmen know what it takes to win in our region," Frenz said, "and I can't wait to see what Garrett Ham, Ashtin Willms, Ian Roske, Drew DeGabriele, Kyler Glenn, Gavin Anderson, Brody Frayne along with our incoming recruits can do next year."
Team standings - Kirkwood 289-292-287 - 868, Northeast CC (Neb.) 295-287-289 - 871, Southeast CC (Neb.) 295-296-298 - 889, Hawkeye CC 302-299-293 - 894, Iowa Central 306-288-307 - 901, Southwestern CC 314-293-301 - 908, Iowa Lakes 307-303-310 - 920, Alexandria T&CC 320-299-301 - 920, DMACC 326-298-307 - 931, NIACC 310-317-309 - 936, CCC-Columbus 318-327-320 - 965, North Platte CC 328-330-316 - 974, Southeastern CC 328-335-324 - 987.
