Soydara Solid on Day Two of NJCAA Division III National Tourney, Stepan Leads Spartan Men
Ellia Soydara had another solid day in the second round of the NJCAA Division III National Golf Championship at Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, New York on Wednesday, firing an 81, placing her fourth after two days of competition with a two-day total of 161. The Spartan Men recorded a second day score of 326 for a two day total of 556, putting them in eighth place.
“Ellia played very steady golf again today and is impressing a lot of people wither ball striking and poise on the golf course,” stated M State Head Coach Jason Retzlaff. “Once she starts rolling with the putter, the scores will be even better.”
Soydara birdied the 17th hole, rated the second most difficult by scoring average on the course. Trinity Ahing of Sandhills CC shot the low round of the tournament, a 73, and has opened up an 8 shot individual lead with a two day total of 147.
Braxton Kerstein hits his second shot on the par 5 3rd hole in round two. (Photo taken by Jeff Haukos)
Ellia Soydara hitting a chip shot on the 13th green during round two. (Photo taken by Jennifer Soydara)
Leo Stepan led the Spartan men on day two with a 79, while Braxton Kerstein and Mikey Vall each shot 82’s. Joel Quam came in with an 83 and Riley Stromlund had an 86. Stepan has the top two day total for M State, a 159. He is followed by Vall at 164, Quam at 165 and Kerstein at 169. Stromlund sits at 172.
“Our men were the opposite of yesterday, starting stronger but couldn’t finish the round the way we wanted to,” assessed Coach Retzlaff. “It was nice to improve from yesterday and the effort is great. We haven’t quite figured out the greens yet. Hopefully we can start putting better and the scores will follow. It was great to see Braxton Kerstein improve by 5 shots from yesterday and Leo gave us a nice round of 79.”
Nick Johnson of Georgia Military and Alex Martin of Sandhills are tied for the individual lead with two day totals of 141. Sandhills CC put up a 284 team score for a two day total of 576 to open up a large team lead.
Team Results
1.Sandhills CC (Pinehurst, NC) - 292 (Day 1) + 284 (Day 2)= 576 2.Georgia Military College (Milledgeville, GA) -301 + 293 = 594 3.Jamestown CC (Jamestown, NY) - 318 + 311 = 629 4.Butler County CC (Butler, PA) - 321 +314 = 635 5.DuPage CC (Glen Ellyn, IL) - 323 + 315 = 638 6.Onondaga CC (Syracuse, NY)- 327 + 316 = 643 7.Nassau CC (Garden City, NJ)- 330 + 325 = 655 8.M State (Fergus Falls, MN) - 330 + 326 = 656 9.RCSJ Gloucester (Sewell, NJ) - 352 + 345 = 697 10.Terra State CC (Fremont, OH)- 355 +347 = 702 11.Holyoke CC (Holyoke, MA) - 433 + 424 = 857
Joel Quam hits a chip shot on the 5th hole during round two. (Photo taken by Jeff Haukos)
