Ahlers closes fall season as Bulldogs leader in GPAC action

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Freshman Amy Ahlers concluded the fall season in style, posting her lowest career round and tying for the top individual score at Wednesday’s meet. The Albion, Neb., native shot an 80 to lead Concordia at GPAC Qualifier No. 2. As a team the Bulldogs sit in fifth place in the GPAC standings after shooting 366-374–740 at the first two conference rounds.

Ahlers chopped nine strokes off of her score from GPAC Qualifier No. 1 held on Sept. 10 in Mitchell, S.D. She moved up from 22nd place after round one into a tie for eighth place at the end of round two. She equaled the 80 of Dakota Wesleyan’s Lauren Fitts for first-place on Wednesday.

“Amy played very well,” Concordia head coach Brett Muller said. “She got off to a great start. She birdied her first hole and got off on the right foot. We actually started on the back nine which is the toughest part of the course so for her to shoot a 39 on the back nine is fantastic.”

In addition, freshman Kayla Krueger also shot a career low on Wednesday, turning in an 84. The native of Alberdeen, S.D., moved up to 17th place on the individual conference leaderboard. She shot a 92 in the first qualifier round. Her previous season best was an 87 in the season’s first meet on Sept. 6.

Ahlers and Krueger have emerged as the team’s standouts through seven rounds this season.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” Muller said. “The two freshmen really showed how good they can be and have helped us improve on the team side. With this being our last tournament of the fall, it gives us momentum going into the spring.”

The rest of Muller’s lineup included sophomore Kristen Remm (104), and juniors Allison Schieffer (108) and Melissa McIntosh (110). McIntosh was unable to duplicate her 87 from the first GPAC qualifier. She still ranks third among Concordia’s GPAC participants overall, currently holding down 37th place.

Concordia had one change in the lineup compared to the first qualifier as Remm replaced junior Jenelle Hallaert, who carded a 118 a GPAC Qualifier No. 1.

Wednesday’s round was interrupted early in the evening by a 45-minute lightning delay at Whispering Creek Golf Course, the same course the Bulldogs played at back on Sept. 6.

The Bulldogs’ fifth-place standing is a significant improvement from their 11th-place finish in 2012-13.

Here are the final fall averages of all six Bulldog golfers who competed in at least one varsity meet:

• Ahlers – 85.29 (7 rounds; season low: 80)
• Krueger – 90.86 (7 rounds; season low: 84)
• McIntosh – 97.29 (7 rounds; season low: 87)
• Remm – 102.60 (5 rounds; season low: 95)
• Schieffer – 106.57 (7 rounds; season low: 98)
• Hallaert – 119.0 (2 rounds; season low: 118)
• TEAM – 375.57 (7 rounds; season low: 359)

The Bulldog women have completed the 2013 fall season. They will resume play this coming spring when two more GPAC qualifier events will take place. On the men’s side, GPAC Qualifier No. 2 will be held on Monday, Oct. 14.