NIACC's Lunning ties for 56th at national tournament
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - Due to time constraints caused by weather delays, there was a cut after 54 holes at the NJCAA Division I national golf tournament on Thursday.
NIACC sophomore Thea Lunning, who is from Mason City, finished in a tie for 56th place with rounds of 91-90-89 - 270 at the Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club course.
"It's very disappointing for Thea to not get one last opportunity to attack the front nine at Plantation Bay," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, "but I'm really satisfied with how she played this week and battled a very difficult course."
Lunning's 56th place finish is the fourth best in the Frenz era, which started in 2007. NIACC's Mikayla Smith tied for 47th in 2012 and teammates Alexandria Eckenrod and Sarah Steinauer tied for 54th at the 2013 national tournament.
The round of 89 Lunning recorded on Wednesday was the best round at the national tournament for a Lady Trojan since Savannah Lentz fired a 85 on day four of the 2015 national tournament. The 89 is tied for the 10th best round for a NIACC women's golfer in the Frenz era.
"It's always tough to end the season this way," Frenz said, "but for her to be able to say she was one of the top 60 junior college golfers in the country is pretty special. She'll be missed next year."
Since Frenz took over the NIACC golf program in 2007, the women's national tournament has been cut short due to weather in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2021. All the times that the tourney was shortened due to weather the tournament was played in Florida.
In her sophomore season, Lunning also was the individual medalist at the Hawkeye CC Invitational on April 16 and she placed fourth at the NJCAA Region XI tournament on April 24-25.
"She's been a thrill to have on the team the last couple of years," Frenz said. "It's too bad that COVID-19 stole last year's season from her.
"She's going to be successful in whatever she does and Central College is not only getting a very good golfer but an outstanding person."
