NIACC's Urdahl, Olson qualify for nationals

Urdahl shot a 73 on Tuesday for a two-day total of 78-73 151 and placed fifth overall. Olson shot a 72-80 - 152 and was third among the individual qualifiers.

The top five individuals minus regional team champion Kirkwood qualified for the national tournament, which is in Scottsboro, Ala. on May 21-24.

NIACC placed third in the team standings with a 307-317 - 624. Kirkwood was the regional champion with a 306-297 - 603 and DMACC was second with a 312-311 - 623.

"It feels great," said Urdahl, a former Newman Catholic standout, of his upcoming trip to the national tournament. "Honestly, I was a little worried after the first day.

"But I knew if I came out and on the second day and shot well that I'd have a chance."

Urdahl improved his second-day total by five strokes over his first round 78.

"I finished a lot better," he said. "(Monday) I was 3-over on the last four and (Tuesday) I played it even par. I finished well and didn't have any big numbers."

Olson was the first-day leader with a 72 and shot an 80 on Tuesday to secure his berth to the national tournament.

"I've worked hard for it all year," said Olson, who was also a former Newman Catholic standout. "Obviously, we were close as a team and our main goal was to go as a team.

"I started out pretty well and didn't finish so well, but it's going to nationals. It feels pretty good."

NIACC coach Chris Frenz said he's very proud of his two sophomore national qualifiers.

"The sophomores did exactly what sophomores should do," the coach said. "They played great the last couple of days.

"They held it together for a couple of days and got themselves into the national tournament."

Team standings - Kirkwood 306-297 - 603, DMACC 312-311 - 623, NIACC 307, 317 - 624, Iowa Central 318-311 - 629, Iowa Lakes 314-316 - 630, Northeast 356-337 - 693, Ellsworth 355-342 -697.

Individual medalist - Ryan Johnson (Kirkwood) 76-71 - 147; Runner-up medalist - Marcus Giltner (Kirkwood) 79-69 - 148.

NIACC - Jacob Urdahl 78-73 - 151, Dalton Olson 72-80 - 152, Levi Fink 74-82 - 156, Joe Myers 83-82 - 165, Kevin Trobaugh 87-86 - 173.

National qualifiers - Brandon Klein (Iowa Lakes) 75-74 - 149, Urdahl (NIACC) 151, Olson (NIACC) 152, Cody Brandau (Iowa Central) 76-77 - 153, Andy Fraser (DMACC) 74-80 - 154.