Newton shines at NIC Invitational

North Idaho College freshman Justin Newton followed up his opening-round 75 with a 77 to finish 15th out of 70 golfers at the two-day NIC Invitational at Avondale Golf Club.

The men's team wound up seventh out of 10 teams, and the NIC women came home in eighth place in their division.

Natalia Arlindt paced the NIC women's team with a 90 to go along with her 91 on Sunday.

"Both sides played better today," NIC coach Derrick Thompson said. "We have a lot of youth on this team and there were a lot of nerves out there."

The Cardinals have three freshman on both the men's and women's squads.

"It was a big adjustment for them from high school. We grew the rough for over a week and the greens are as fast as we can make them," he said.

Thompson was impressed with Newton, whom he described as a steady competitor. "He's a real good putter, not super long off the tee, but has a good short game and he's been improving.

"We look forward to big things out of him this season."

The NIC women return to competition Sunday and Monday at the Whitworth Invite at Spokane Country Club. The men will play the National Tournament Preview at Odessa, Texas on Oct. 14-15.

NIC Invitational

at Avondale Golf Club

Par 72

6,573 yards

TEAM SCORES - 1. Lewis-Clark State 303-286 - 589. 2. Rocky Mountain 295-300 - 595. 3. Community Colleges of Spokane 299-300 - 599. 4. Bellevue Community College 308-300 - 608. 5. Whitworth 308-308 - 616. 6. Carroll College 318-303 - 621. 7. North Idaho College 317-308 - 625. 8. Westminster College 324-318 - 642. 9. Whitman 322-324 - 646. 10. Columbia Basin 340-326 - 666.

Medalist - Connor McCracken, LCSC, 73-68 - 141.

NORTH IDAHO - Kris Brett 92-77 - 169, Jeremy Jensen 84-76 -160, Jacob Erickson 79-78 - 157, Justin Newton 75-77-152, Eli Bowen 79-81 - 160.

Par 72

5,837 yards

TEAM SCORES - 1. Rocky Mountain 331-335 - 666. 3. Westminster 332-356 - 688. 2. Whitman 339-335 - 674. 4. Lewis-Clark State 348- 346-694. 5. Whitworth 355-343 - 698. 6. Community Colleges of Spokane 365-354 - 719. 7. Carroll College 388-361 - 749. 8. North Idaho College 385-368 - 753. Incomplete teams -Columbia Basin, Bellevue.

Medalist - Rachel Hosterman 75-83 - 158.

NORTH IDAHO - Natalia Arlindt 91-90 - 181. Rachel Westby 96-90 - 186. Kayla Lloyd 96-101 - 197. Emily Thorud 102-87 - 189. Kendahl-Rae Strachan 109-112 - 221.