DMACC Takes First-Ever Division II Qualifier At Otter Creek
ANKENY, Iowa - Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) captured the team title at the North Plains District Championship on Tuesday at Otter Creek Golf Course. The Bears ended with a two-day total of +102 over two rounds.
Heading into Day 2, DMACC was tied with Iowa Central at +56 but separated themselves with an eight-stroke advantage in the second 18 holes.
Halle Hagberg led the Bears taking runner up at +19. Her teammate Anne Van Hemert tied for third at +20. Just outside of the top 5 were two other Bears that helped DMACC secure the title in Haley Loonan (6th) and Lilly Houtakker (8th). Loonan made the largest move in the tournament, rising six spots from Day 1 to Day 2.
Iowa Central, who came into the event ranked #3 nationally, the highest of any team in the field, finished in second place at +110. They were powered by the 2025 North Plains Champion, Ivanna Becerra-Diaz. The sophomore delivered a standout performance to claim individual medalist honors, finishing with a total score of +12. She held a four-shot lead after the first day and expanded that to a seven-stroke win by tournament's end.
NIACC took third with a combined score of +137, followed by Iowa Lakes at +163 and Hawkeye in fifth with a distant +275.
With their second and third place finishes, Iowa Central and NIACC earned automatic team qualification to the NJCAA National Championships coming up in Boone, Iowa at Cedar Pointe Golf Course May 13-16.
Rounding out the top five were Meghan DeLong of NIACC who tied for third, and Iowa Central's Olivia Eckert with a +22 finish for fifht place.
Other notable finishers included Iowa Lakes Abby Brooks and Leah Becker, as well as Libby Larkin of Hawkeye. After their placement inside the top 12, all three qualified as individuals for the National Tournament.