NIC men in middle of pack at nationals

OWENS CROSSROADS, Ala. - Led by Branden Dalton's 1-under-par 71, North Idaho College is in 12th place out of 22 teams after the first day of the NJCAA men's golf tournament Tuesday at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail River Course.

Dalton, who has signed with Washington State, is tied for 10th place individually. Colby Averitte from Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, N.C., shot a 6-under 66 and leads by two.

"He played really well," NIC assistant coach Derrick Thompson said. "He drove the ball well, hit 13 of 14 fairways. The kid hits it a mile - 330, 340 yards. He only made three birdies, and if you were to ask him he would say he was disappointed, but his goal is still to win a national title."

NIC shot 301, and is 15 shots behind the leader, McLennan Community College of Waco, Texas. Ben Johnson (76), Dillon Williams (77) and Jeremy Jensen (77) were the Cardinals' other scorers.

"Between the five kids, we only made seven birdies, and we still scored really well," Thompson said. "We played tough, they were scrappy, and they were able to get the ball up and down. I don't think we played great, but we played smart. When we made mistakes, we made them in the right direction."

Play in the 72-hole tournament continues today and runs through Friday.

At Robert Trent Jones Golf

Trail River Course

Owens Crossroads, Ala.

Par 72

7,308 yards

TEAM SCORES - 1, McLennan CC 286. 2, Meridian CC 289. 3 (tie), Brevard CC, Odessa College, Cape Fear CC, 290. 6 (tie), Indian Hill CC, Central Alabama CC 291. 8, New Mexico JC 295. 9 (tie), Midland CC, New Mexico Military Institute 297. 11, Scottsdale CC 300. 12, North Idaho College 301. 13, Wallace St. Hanceville 303. 14, Walters State CC 304. 15, Hutchinson CC 308. 16, Frank Phillips College 309. 17, Wake Tech CC 310. 18, Pima CC 313. 19, Iowa Western CC 317. 20, Dodge City CC 318. 21 (tie), Kansas City, Kan., CC, and Trinidad State CC 322.

NORTH IDAHO (301) - Branden Dalton 71, Ben Johnson 76, Dillon Williams 77, Jeremy Jensen 77, Kris Brett 84.

One day late, NIC

women get started

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Led by former Sandpoint High standout Ashley Burke's 90, North Idaho College is in 14th out of 19 teams after the first day of the NJCAA women's golf tournament Tuesday at the LGPA International Golf Course.

Monday's opening round was rained out, causing the tournament to be shortened to 54 holes.

"We made it through the day with no problems," North Idaho coach Randy Boswell said. "It wasn't our best outing, but we're not done yet."

NIC shot a 383, trailing leader Daytona State with a 298. Kayla Lloyd (96), Amanda Wemple (97) and Emily Thorud (100), were the Cardinals' other scorers.

"They know where they made mistakes today," Boswell said. "We've got a later tee time, so there is plenty of time to get out there and get off the tee better. Hopefully we'll get some better scores on Wednesday."

The tournament continues today and runs through Thursday.

At LGPA International

Daytona Beach, Fla.

Par 72

6,200 yards

TEAM SCORES - 1, Daytona State College 298. 2, McLennan CC 312. 3, Redlands CC 320. 4, Western Texas CC 323. 5, Texarkana CC 326. 6, Rend Lake CC 340. 7, Tyler JC 345. 8, Seminole State 346. 9, John A. Logan CC 349. 10, Mesa CC 357. 11, Des Moines CC 365. 12, Iowa Western CC 367. 13, Young Harris CC 369. 14, North Idaho College 383. 15, Columbus State CC 401. 16, Seminole State CC 408. 17, Bismarck State CC 414. 18, Dodge City CC 417. 19, Central Lakes CC 427.

NORTH IDAHO (383) - Ashley Burke 90, Kayla Lloyd 96, Amanda Wemple 97, Emily Thorud 100, Kelsey Harden 101.