Lakers in Second for Region XI Tournament
The Iowa Lakes women's golf team is currently in second place after the first weekend of the 2019 Region XI Tournament. Leading the way for the Lakers is defending 1st-Team All-Region performer Annika DuMoulin who currently sits in fourth place individually with a two day total of 163, eight shots behind the lead. Iowa Lakes finds themselves seventeen shots behind defending champion Iowa Western.
"Going into the tournament, I knew some of the girls would be a little nervous and it showed. We got off to a very rocky start, but the team did an incredible job of finding their confidence and bringing in a solid day one score", said Coach Jarvis Weber when asked about his team's performance from day one.
Iowa Lakes would post a team score of 342 led by very balanced individual efforts. Alexia Kemper and Molly Diekmann led the way both posting an 85 quickly followed by Annika DuMoulin and Erin Baum both with an 86. Abby Stender was not far behind with a first round 91. The 342 would put the Lakers sixteen shots behind Iowa Western's pace setting 326 after day one.
"We had a very brief conversation after round one, which is all these girls needed. They know exactly what they needed to do and they went out and did it", said Coach Weber. "The nervousness was gone and the confidence from the back nine on day one flowed over to round two which is exactly how these girls need to play... with confidence."
The Lakers would come out and shatter their season low by twelve shots, posting 322. Leading the way on day two was Annika DuMoulin with a 77. Not far behind was Alexia Kemper with a 79 and Abby Stender with an 80. Molly Diekmann would post 86 and Erin Baum 87.
"I was very proud of their composure and energy levels all day in round two. They all played a simple, confident game and started to show what they are truly capable of", said Coach Weber. "All of them have worked very hard all year and it takes all five of them for this team to be successful. Hopefully now they understand what we can do and we can keep it going next weekend and give the defending champs a run for their money!"
The winning team and the top ten scoring individuals, excluding members from the winning team (15 total players), from the Region XI Tournament will qualify for the NJCAA National Tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida on May 13-16 at LPGA International. With the current standings, all five Lakers would qualify for the tournament individually.
The Lakers will look to continue their push for the national tournament this upcoming weekend on Friday April 26th and Saturday the 27th at Otter Creek Golf Club in Ankeny, Iowa. Tee time start at 11:00AM Friday and 10:00AM Saturday.
Iowa Lakes Community College - 342-322 = 664 (2nd)
Annika DuMoulin - 86-77 = 163 (4th)
Alexia Kemper - 85-79 = 164 (T-5th)
Abby Stender - 91-80 = 171 (T-8th)
Molly Diekmann - 85-86 = 171 (T-8th)
Erin Baum - 86-87 = 173 (T-11th)
Photo ID: Annika DuMoulin