VALDES LEADS NO. 10 HAWKS THROUGH TWO DAYS AT THE 2022 NJCAA DII MEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

JOPLIN, Mo. – The No. 10 Northeast Community College men's golf team continued their journey Wednesday at the 2022 NJCAA DII Men's Golf Championship in Joplin, Mo. The Hawks currently sit in ninth place as a team in the four-day event at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.

The Hawks began the day around 10 a.m. in clear conditions after rain poured onto the course all throughout the night prior. Course officials recommended that some holes should be played a little longer with the downpour, but by the time Northeast teed off the course was well on its way to drying out.

Santiago Valdes (Mexico City, Mexico) was the top performer for the Hawks on the day as he shot one-over-par Wednesday. Two birdies and six pars on the front nine carried Valdes to turn in the lowest score of the day for the Hawks.

Throughout the first two days all five Northeast golfers were paired with Hawkeye Community College and Abraham Baldwin College. The pairings have been re-shuffled for Round 3 and the Hawks will begin around 10:45 a.m. tomorrow during what is expected to be a warm day 

STAT SHEET

Ty Heimes (Battle Creek, Neb.): T35 +9 | Round 1: +5 77 | Round 2: +4 76

Kody Sander (Lincoln, Neb): T35 +9 | Round 1: +3 75 | Round 2: +6 78

Jordan Hart (Omaha, Neb.): T64 +14 | Round 1: +6 78 | Round 2 +8 80

Santiago Valdes (Mexico City, Mexico): T29 +7 | Round 1: +6 78 | Round 2: +1 73

Rockney Peck (Wisner, Neb.): T76 +16 | Round 1: +8 80 | Round 2: +8 80

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH

Head golf coach Wes Bernt's thoughts on how Santiago Valdes played today:

"He played really well," Bernt said. "I don't think he tried to force anything. He hit the ball pretty well and made some putts. Played real steady. I was real happy with how he played."

Bernt's thoughts on how his guys faired today as a team:

"We hung in there," Bernt said. "We started really, really bad. They grinded out some decent rounds."

What Bernt wants to work on with his team tonight heading into tomorrow:

"Try and figure out how to get off to a better start," Bernt said. "Obviously, we'll do what we can with the course setup, but it's just trying to get off to a better start." 

NORTHEAST NOTABLE

Santiago Valdes on how we was able to go low today:

"The course was playing easier," Valdes said. "There was no wind. I figured out the greens better than yesterday. Putted well. Just made putts and it was a good day."

Valdes on if today's performance can propel him throughout the rest of the tournament:

"Oh yeah," Valdes said. "I feel very confident. I think I found something on the course today and I hope that I take it to the course tomorrow."

UP NEXT

The Hawks will be back in action for Round 3 at approximately 11 a.m. tomorrow at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin, Mo.

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