Trojans place 4th at district championships
SIOUX CITY - The NIACC men's golf team placed fourth in the NJCAA North Central District Championship on Tuesday at Whispering Creek Golf Course.
The Trojans, who are ranked 38th, shot a three-day total of 317-307-304 - 928. No. 4 Kirkwood claimed the district title with rounds of 297-302-291 - 890.
The Trojans three-day total of 928 was their lowest since the district format switched to a three-day, 54-hole tournament in 2021. The Trojans' previous best three-day total at districts was a 933 in 2024.
No. 7 Northeast CC placed second and also earned a spot at the NJCAA Division II national championships with rounds of 301-297-293 - 891.
"I don't think I could ask for more effort out of this group of guys this week," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "To finish in the top four of this district is a great accomplishment.
"Of course, we wanted to head to the national tournament, but I'm extremely proud of how these guys worked the past two to three weeks."
No. 16 Southeast CC placed third with rounds of 314-303-302 - 919.
The Trojans placed ahead of No. 21 Southwestern CC, No. 9 DMACC and No. 14 Iowa Central in the three-day tournament.
NIACC sophomore Garrett Ham tied for sixth in the indiviual medalist competition with a three-day total of 77-75-72 - 224. Southwestern CC's Freddie Muggeridge placed fifth in the individual medalist competition and earned the lone individual ticket to the national tournament.
Muggeridge shot rounds of 74-74-75 - 223.
The sixth-place finish by Ham at the district tournament was the highest for a NIACC men's player since Ben Boerjan placed second at the 2019 regional tournament.
"I'm so disappointed for Garrett Ham, who missed going to the national tournament by one shot," Frenz said. "He's been such a great asset to this program the past two years.
"He made a tremendous birdie on 18 to for (Muggeridge) to have to birdie 18 to win and unfortunately, he did."
The round of 72 by Ham on Tuesday was the second lowest regional/district tournament round in the Frenz era. Boerjan shot a 71 on the opening day of the 2019 regional tournament.
The fourth-place finish by the Trojans was their highest since they placed third at the 2018 regional tournament.
NIACC freshman Austin Stene tied for 10th with rounds of 76-74-78 - 228
"Austin Stene was a blast to watch the past three days," Frenz said. "He played great and this will set him up for next year nicely. Likewise for Heath Voigt and Hudson Kroymann."
Voigt tied for 25th with a three-day total of 82-79-78 - 239, Kroymann shot 82-82-76 - 240 and sophomore Ashtin Willms shot 86-79-82 - 247.
"It's always tough to say goodbye to sophomores like Ashtin Willms and Garrett Ham. They are two great guys that will be friends forever."
Team standings - Kirkwood 297-302-291 - 890, Northeast CC 301, 297-293 - 891, Southeast CC (Neb.) 314-303-302 - 919, NIACC 317-307-304 - 928, Southwestern CC 313-314-303 - 930, DMACC 314-313-312 - 939, Iowa Central 315-317-308 - 940, Hawkeye CC 327-331-321 - 979, Iowa Lakes 332-328-322 - 982, Alexandria T&CC 332-330-329 - 991, Central CC-Columbus 359-341-342 - 1,042, Southeastern CC 355-345-344 - 1,044.
