VALDES CLAIMS ALL-AMERICAN HONORS AS NO. 10 NORTHEAST FINISHES THE 2022 NJCAA DII MEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

JOPLIN, Mo. – The No. 10 Northeast Community College men's golf team experienced a little bit of everything this week at the 2022 NJCAA DII Men's Golf Championship at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin, Missouri. The Hawks finished the four-day tournament Thursday and were able to secure a ninth-place finish in the event.

The challenges this week were evident. Zoysia grass instead of the bent grass that the Hawks are used to. Warmer weather than what Nebraska has experienced so far this year. A storm that pushed back Wednesday's round for more than five hours and required the Hawks to complete a handful of holes in the third round Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. An unexpected cut that came after Round 3 that the Hawks were fortunate enough to make. Another 18 holes Thursday afternoon after already playing earlier in the day. Through it all Northeast was able to finish ninth against the best in the country. 

Not only was there great success as team for the Hawks but there was great individual success too. Santiago Valdes (Mexico City, Mexico) needed par on the final hole of the tournament to earn his spot on the Honorable Mention All-American team. The Hawks started Round 4 on hole 10 so Valdes needed to walk away with no worse than a four on hole nine. Valdes wasn't aware of what was on the line but his coach and teammates were as they looked on. His tee shot went left but he was able to salvage his second shot in a good position short of the green. The chip on the third shot left him with about a 10-footer. Valdes was able to bury the clutch putt on the 72^nd green to par the hole as his teammates erupted in celebration as he officially earned All-American honors. 

STAT SHEET

Ty Heimes (Battle Creek, Neb.): T31 +17| Round 3: +8 80 | Round 4: E 72

Kody Sander (Lincoln, Neb): 63 +30 | Round 3: +13 85 | Round 4: +8 80

Jordan Hart (Omaha, Neb.): 50 +22 | Round 3: +6 78 | Round 4: +2 74

Santiago Valdes (Mexico City, Mexico): T25 +14 | Round 3: +6 78 | Round 4: +1 73

Rockney Peck (Wisner, Neb.): 67 +33 | Round 3: +6 78 | Round 4: +11 83 

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH

Head golf coach Wes Bernt's thoughts on Santiago Valdes becoming an All-American:

"Really impressed," Bernt said. "He had a good tournament overall, but today he played excellent. He had one bad shot pretty much all day. Otherwise, he was real steady."

Bernt's thoughts on how the team performed throughout the tournament:

"I really didn't know what to expect as far as what we should get," Bernt said. "I think anything in the top 10 was pretty amazing with this group. I think they overachieved all year and they really played well."

What Bernt will remember about sophomores Everette Carroll, Jordan Hart and Ty Heimes:

"They went through a lot of changes and they adapted well," Bernt said. "It was really good to see Jordan finish well. He's had a good career. He's had some ups and downs and he played really well today. Ty is an absolute leader. He's one of the hardest workers I've ever had or been around, and that's saying something. Ev has always had a really good attitude and he really played well at Fremont. He's been a hard worker."

NORTHEAST NOTABLE

Santiago Valdes on making the Honorable Mention All-American team:

"Very happy," Valdes said. "Good round today, keep working and I'm looking forward to next season." 

Valdes on the putt that made him an All-American:

"I didn't know (the circumstances) so that was good," Valdes said. "No pressure. I just putt it and made it."

Valdes on what he's excited about next season:

"Putting up good scores so that I can get a Division I offer," Valdes said.

THANK YOU FANS

As the 2022 season winds down, the Northeast Community College golf team and Northeast Athletics would like to extend a thank you to all fans and supporters who were with us along the journey this year. We can't wait to see you all again next season.  

HAWKS HAPPENINGS

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