NIACC's DeLong earns all-American honors
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - NIACC's Meghan DeLong is a two-time all-American.
DeLong, a sophomore, earned third-team all-American honors Friday at the NJCAA Division II National Championship at the Ol' Colony Golf Course. DeLong tied for 14th place with rounds of 83-82-82-81 - 328.
DeLong tied for 16th as a freshman and earned third-team all-American honors at the national tournament in Boone.
The 81 by DeLong on Friday is the fourth best round at the national tournament in the Chris Frenz era, which began in 2007.
"It's awesome tat Meghan DeLong could finish her NIACC career as a two-time all-American, Frenz said. "Meghan had a stellar two years at NIACC and likely would have been even better had she not been sidelined with an injury during the fall season."
NIACC placed 11th in the team standings with rounds of 367-358-353-348 - 1.427. Host Shelton State CC was the national champion for the second straight season with rounds of 320-317-321-315 - 1,273 and Murray State was second with rounds of 321-325-325-314 - 1,285.
DMACC placed 10th with rounds of 350-353-357-348 - 1,408.
"It was a good day for the Trojans as we shot our best round of the week," Frenz said of Friday's 348 team score. "It was a great way to end a very good season.
"It's goint to be tough to see four out of the five of these great girls leave the program. They've done a lot for NIACC women's golf."
Also for the Trojans, freshman Avery Knutsen shot rounds of 92-92-88-89 - 361, freshman Audrey Overgaard shot rounds of 94-90-92-89 - 365, sophomore Kenedee Frayne recorded rounds of 98-99-91-90 - 378 and sophomore Addy Boell shot rounds of 112-94-102-97 - 405.
Overgaard will be the lone player from the five that played at the national tournament that will return next season.
"Kenedee Frayne was a two-sport athlete for us and what a competitior she is," Frenz said. "It was great to have her to be able to play both sports she loves.
"Addy Boell really gained a lot of confidence between year one and year two and now she's heading to Drake University in the pharmacy program. Even though I only get to have Avery on the team for one year, she was always striving to learn more and be the best that she could be. All of them will be very successful people and I'm extremely lucky to have been a part of their journey."
Frenz said he's excited for the future of NIACC women's golf.
"I'm looking forward to having Audrey Overgaard back next year with the returning players and incoming freshmen," the coach said. "The goal is to make it three years in a row to the national tournament."
