WAVERLY, Iowa (JimmieAthletics.com) – The University of Jamestown men’s golf team won the North Star Athletic Association conference championship Tuesday, the Jimmies’ first conference title since 2012.
Despite having the third-best team score on Tuesday, UJ’s lead entering the final round was enough to secure the title.
Jamestown finished at 37-over par 1189 (298-290-301-300), nine shots better than runner-up Bellevue (Neb.), who shot an 1198 (310-297-300-291), and 42 shots ahead of third-place Valley City State (N.D.)’s 1231 (310-315-308-298).
Jacob Rice (JR/Mitchell, S.D.) was the top Jimmie finisher, placing third at 11-over 299 (73-75-75-76). Nathan Kapaun (SR/Fargo, N.D.) was fourth at 13-over 301 (73-73-81-74), Austin Rene (SO/Jamestown, N.D.) sixth at 16-over 304 (82-74-74-74), and Nolan Frank (SR/Sartell, Minn.) seventh at 17-over 305 (78-80-71-76).
Brandon Stahlhut (SR/Jamestown, N.D.) finished with a two-round total of 161 (81-80).
The Jimmies qualify for the NAIA National Tournament at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., May 15-18.
Andre Becerra of Bellevue defeated teammate Fernando Arazate in a three-hole playoff for medalist honors. Both golfers tied for first at 4-over 292 following Tuesday’s final round. Becerra was named NSAA Player of the Year.
UJ head coach Vince Drahman was named NSAA Coach of the Year. Rice, Kapaun, Rene, and Frank nabbed first-team All-Conference honors.
WOMEN
For the second time in four seasons, the University of Jamestown women’s golf team has earned a trip to the NAIA National Tournament.
The Jimmies shot a final round score of 324 Tuesday, winning the North Star Athletic Association championship by 33 shots over Bellevue (Neb.), and earning an automatic bid to the national tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., May 22-25.
UJ finished with a score of 1310 (337-335-314-324), with Bellevue at 1343 (350-334-333-326) and Viterbo (Wis.) third at 1351 (339-337-339-336).
Annie Nelson (SR/Bismarck, N.D.) took medalist honors with a score of 17-over 305 (71-78-77-79). Savanna Nesemeier (SR/Kindred, N.D.) was third at 39-over 327 (90-79-80-78).
Jenna Knutson (JR/Boulder, Colo.)’s 48-over 336 (87-88-78-83) was good for sixth.
Paige Argent (FR/Minot, N.D.) was 10th at 54-over 342 (89-90-79-84).
Alexis Piatz (JR/Oxbow, N.D.) was 21st at 99-over 387 (101-103-92-91).
Nelson was named Player of the Year and head coach Vince Drahman was selected as NSAA Coach of the Year. Nelson, Nesemeier, and Knutson earned first-team All-Conference honors while Argent was named to the second team.