Sports briefs: Creston native takes on administrative role to spread youth golf

National tourney

LUBBOCK, Texas — Walters State fell victim to a hot-shooting 3-point performance from Chipola Wednesday evening in the NJCAA Women’s Basketball National Tournament round of 16, as the third-seeded Lady Indians held off a late rally by the 14th-seeded Lady Senators for a 70-61 victory inside the Rip Griffin Center at Lubbock Christian University.

Walters State is coached by Corning native Dave Kragel, a 2016 inductee into the Southwestern Community College Athletic Hall of Fame.

The loss brought an end to the season for the Lady Senators with a 26-7 record and a 10th place finish in the national tournament.

Conover hired

DES MOINES — The First Tee of Central Iowa announced Philip Conover as its new program director.

Conover is originally from Creston and attended William Penn University, where he played collegiate golf. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education and minor in wellness and recreation.

Conover most recently was an assistant golf professional/junior golf director at Glen Oaks Country Club and Des Moines Golf and Country Club. He started his professional golf career at Emerald Hills Golf Club in Okoboji, and became familiar with The First Tee program by being a volunteer coach last summer. Philip and his fiancé Amy reside in West Des Moines.

The First Tee is an international youth development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people.