April 27, 2017

NIACC women set to compete at regional tournament

ANKENY - The NIACC women's golf team will compete in the NJCAA Region XI tournament Friday and Saturday at Otter Creek Golf Course.

The 36-hole tournament is set to begin at 11 a.m. on Friday and concludes with the second 18 holes on Saturday.

The winning team and the next 10 golfers not on the winning team qualify for the national tournament May 15-18 in Duluth, Ga.

"I'm really looking forward to the regional tournament this weekend after the team had their best outing of the year on Tuesday," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "Courtney Tusler has been playing some good golf lately and has really been working hard on her game.

"If she just relaxes and plays to her ability I like her chances."

NIACC placed third on Tuesday at the Iowa Central Invitational with a 367. Tusler led the Lady Trojans with a 86.

Also on Tuesday, Kelli Wilson shot a 93 and Brooke Maasch and Alyssa Purman both shot 94s.

Weather could play a factor in the regional tournament as rain is in the forecast for Friday and Saturday.

"If they can all stay mentally tough, we should be alright."

Last year's regional tournament was shortened to 27 holes due to inclement weather on the second day of the tournament. NIACC's Savannah Lentz (7th), Carlie Eckenrod (12th) and Bailey Walter (14th) all qualified for nationals.

Did you know? This is the eighth straight year that the women's regional tournament has been held at Otter Creek. The 2009 women's regional tournament was held at the Brooks National Golf Course in Okoboji.

NJCAA REGION XI TOURNAMENTS UNDER FRENZ (2007-2016)

2007: National qualifiers: Whitney Weber (7th, 84 at regionals), Kayli Jones (9th, 85 at regionals), Brittany Lockwood (10th, 90). The team placed fourth at the one-day NJCAA Region XI tournament at Fox Run Golf Course in Council Bluffs with a 362.

2008: National qualifiers: Brittany O'Brien (6th, 80-94 - 174 at regionals); Kayli Jones (10th, 92-89 - 181 at regionals). The team placed fourth at the two-day NJCAA Region XI tournament at Brooks National in Okoboji with a 747.

2009: National qualifier: Brittany O'Brien (6th, 80-86 - 166). The team placed fourth at the NJCAA Region XI tournament at Brooks National in Okoboji with a 391-389 - 780.

2010: National qualifier: Cristina Monson (7th, 87-91 at regionals). Team placed fourth at the NJCAA Region XI tournament with a 395-378 - 773 at the two-day NJCAA Region XI tournament at Otter Creek in Ankeny.

2011: National qualifiers: Cristina Monson (8th, 94-89 - 183 at regionals, Taylor Evenson (13th, 90-94 - 193 at regionals). Team placed fourth at the two-day NJCAA Region XI tournament at Otter Creek in Ankeny with a 401-388 - 789.

2012: National qualifiers: Mikayla Smith (2nd, 91-80 - 171 at regionals), Alexandria Eckenrod (5th, 93-85 - 178 at regionals), Sarah Steinauer (15th, 107-83 at regionals). Team placed third at the two-day NJCAA Region XI tournament at Otter Creek in Ankeny with a 399-343 - 742.

2013: National qualifiers: Mikayla Smith (tied for 4th, 82-78 - 160 at regionals), Sarah Steinauer (8th, 89-86 - 175 at regionals, Alexandria Eckenrod (tied for 9th, 88-88 - 176 at regionals), Moriah Sherman (14th, 96-84 - 180 at regionals). Team finished 2nd at NJCAA Region XI meet at Otter Creek in Ankeny with a 355-336 - 691.

2014: National qualifier: Kaitlin Koob (14th, 90-97 - 187 at NJCAA Region XI meet at Otter Creek in Ankeny).

2015: National qualifiers: Savannah Lentz (tied for 8th, 81-85 - 166). Team placed fourth at NJCAA Region XI meet at Otter Creek in Ankeny with a 357-365 - 722.

2016: National qualifiers: Savannah Lentz (7th, 84-47 - 131); Carlie Eckenrod (12th, 92-45 - 137); Bailey Walter (13th, 90-50 - 140). Walter recorded par on 1st playoff hole to earn trip to national tournament). Team placed fourth in the 27-hole tournament with a 548. The tournament was shortened to 27 holes due to inclement weather on Day 2 at Otter Creek in Ankeny.

WOMEN'S LOWEST 18-HOLE REGIONAL ROUNDS UNDER FRENZ

Mikayla Smith 78 (Day 2, 2013)

Mikayla Smith 78 (Day 2, 2012)

Brittany O'Brien 80 (Day 1, 2008)

Brittany O'Brien 80 (Day 1, 2009)

Savannah Lentz 81 (Day 1, 2015)

Mikayla Smith 82 (Day 1, 2013)

Sarah Steinauer 83 (Day 2, 2012)

Moriah Sherman 84 (Day 2, 2013)

Whitney Weber 84 (1-day tournament, 2007)

Savannah Lentz 84 (Day 1, 2016)

Savannah Lentz 85 (Day 2, 2015)