March 28, 2024

Sports briefs: Catching up with area college athletes

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Welsch all-

conference

DES MOINES — Alex Welsch of Nodaway Valley was an all-conference player for Grand View University’s basketball team that competed in the NAIA Division I national tournament.

In the 79-62 loss to third seed Pikeville at the national tourney, Welsch contributed 10 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots for the sixth-seeded Vikings.

Grand View finished its season with a record of 20-11. The Vikings finished in a tie for second place in the Heart of America Conference at 18-8.

Welsch earned Heart of America all-conference honorable mention. The 6-9 center averaged 7.2 points per game and was second in the conference with 55 blocked shots.

Simpson golf

INDIANOLA — Madison Hance of Creston is a freshman on the Simpson College women’s golf team. She averaged 92.6 per round in fall competition, with a best finish of 13th in the Clarke Fall Invitational shooting 92-98 — 190.

The Simpson team competes in the Graceland Invitational to be held March 24-25 in Maryville, Missouri.

Hance was a three-time state qualifier at Creston High School, earning all-conference status in both golf and bowling.

Viking tennis

DES MOINES — Freshman Alli Thomsen of Creston competed for the Grand View University tennis team in a 5-4 loss against St. Mary’s held Feb. 25 at Red Oak.

Thomsen was a winner in singles and in No. 3 doubles with Hannah Walljasper, 8-1.

On the same weekend Grand View topped St. Ambrose at home, 8-1. Thomsen and Walljasper won 8-2 in doubles and Thomsen was a 6-2, 6-2 winner at No. 4 singles.

The Vikings compete Wednesday at Simpson College in Indianola and on Saturday at Wartburg College in Waverly. Next home match is noon on March 30 against Central College.

Central tennis

AUSTIN, Texas —A two-game swing through Texas for the Central College men’s tennis team ended with a 9-0 loss against Concordia University (Texas) Thursday.

Playing outside for just the second time this spring, the Dutch (3-11) are still adjusting to the unpredictable conditions the outdoors provides.

Junior Garret Taylor of Creston is playing No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles with Scott Wilson of Urbandale.

After returning to Iowa, the Dutch have a week before hosting Nebraska Wesleyan University Friday afternoon in the conference opener for both teams.

The match against the Prairie Wolves is slated to begin at 2 p.m. in Pella.

Luther tennis

DECORAH — Freshman Ryan Kucera of Creston teamed with Brendan Londergan at No. 3 doubles for an 8-3 victory as part of Luther College’s 9-0 victory over Simpson College in men’s tennis action Feb. 11.

Kucera had a 2-2 singles record and 0-1 in doubles for Luther during the fall season.