North Idaho College men's and women's golf teams celebrate after each were victorious at the Northwest Athletic Conference championships Monday at Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Wash. In the front row from left are Ava Young, Megan Quinton, assistant coach Russ Grove, Josh McCartain, Lauryn Bulger and Laila Jalil; and back row from left, assistant coach Brittany Pounds, Rien Solodan, Dyson Lish, Spence Matson, Jarett Giles, Quinn Abbott, Charlie Terwilliger, Sofia Lippiello and head coach Russell Grove.

Posted: May 21, 2024

NWAC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS: Cardinals go out on top — In final event before returning to NJCAA, NIC women win first conference title since 2016; Cardinal men win sixth straight NWAC crown

YAKIMA, Wash. — After years of near-misses — especially last year — the North Idaho College women’s golf team said so long to the Northwest Athletic Conference in style Monday.

With all six players finishing in the top 10, the Cardinals won the NWAC Championships by 30 strokes at the Apple Tree Golf Course.

It was the NIC women’s first NWAC title since 2016.

“It was just nice to be stress-free,” said Russell Grove, who took over as NIC men’s and women’s golf coach in 2014-15 — the Cardinals’ first year in the NWAC after previously playing in the NJCAA. “Honestly, we knew we had a solid team all year, we won all the regular season events by 20, 30 shots. It was nice to cruise here. Super happy for the girls.”

NIC’s Laila Jalil, the first-day leader, finished third after shooting 79-88—167. Ava Young and Idaho signee Sofia Lippiello tied for fourth, each shooting 85-84—169.

Lauren Bulger (87-84—171) was sixth for the Cardinals, Rien Solodan (87-85—172) seventh and Megan Quinton (88-85—173) tied for eighth.

NIC’s women were second by one stroke last year, and were second, third twice, fourth once and fifth once in their other NWAC tourney appearances. There was no spring golf sports season in 2020 due to COVID-19, and no NWAC tourney in 2021 because of COVID.

“Brittany Pounds (NIC assistant coach, who played at Mead High and Western Washington University) has been a huge help this spring on the women’s side,” Grove said. “I’m super grateful for her commitment to the team and hard work. It’s been great to have the women be able to learn from a great women’s player.”

NIC’s men won their sixth straight NWAC title — over an eight-year span because of COVID.

The Cardinals shot 573 and finished 13 strokes ahead of Community Colleges of Spokane.

“We were only up seven strokes to start the day, and still up seven after nine or 10 holes,” Grove said. “We just finished strong. “Great group of guys this year; it’s going to be sad losing them.

“Six in a row, it’s pretty special,” Grove said. “We just had a good group of guys the last few years, buying in to what it takes to get the job done. Super proud of them.”

Josh McCartain, last year’s individual champion, finished second with a 69-69—138, one stroke back. Charlie Terwilliger (72-70—142) finished third for the Cardinals, Jarett Giles (73-73—146) was fifth, and Spence Matson (71-76—147) tied for sixth.

“Charlie really stepped up,” Grove said. “He didn’t even travel to all of our events, so for him to step up was big. He’s been playing some good golf late.”

Spokane sophomore Cole Jaworski, formerly of Coeur d’Alene High, finished tied for 10th at 78-73—151.

Both NIC teams were undefeated in league matches this year.

According to NIC, the men’s team was the first team to win six straight Northwest Athletic Conference Championships since 1956.

Grove became the winningest coach in the history of the NWAC, dating back to its beginning in 1947. He’s the only coach in the history of the NWAC to win six conference championships in a row and had a 271-11 record in conference play.

McCartain, Terwilliger and Giles earned all-tournament team honors for the men, and Jalil, Young and Lippiello did likewise for the women.

The all-conference awards were announced Sunday, with Grove named coach of the year on the men’s and women’s side.

McCartain was named Most Valuable Golfer for the men. Giles and Dyson Lish were named to the first team, as was Jaworski. Terwilliger and Matson were on the second team.

All are sophomores except for Lish and Quinn Abbott, who are freshmen.

Jalil, who had verbally committed to a Division II school before de-committing, was named Most Valuable Golfer for the women. Lippiello, Lauryn Bulger and Rien Solodan of NIC were named to the first team, and Young and Megan Quinton were named to the second team. Quinton, Solodan and Young are freshmen, the other three are sophomores.

Next up — back to the NJCAA. The Scenic West Athletic Conference does not sponsor golf, so NIC will likely go the independent route to start.

“Overall, great group of men and women,” Grove said of his team. “Honestly, being a two-year coach, it’s tough to get a good group, and they're gone before you know it.

“But I’m excited for the next chapter,” Grove added. “My goal is to win a national championship.”

MEN

TEAM SCORES — 1, North Idaho 285-288—573. 2, Spokane 292-294—586. 3, Southwestern Oregon 303-309—612. 4, Columbia Basin 306-314—620. 5, Skagit Valley 301-323—624.

TOP INDIVIDUALS — 1, Trey Lechimenant, Spokane, 67-70—137. 2, Josh McCartain, North Idaho, 69-69—138. 3, Charlie Terwilliger, North Idaho, 72-70—142.

NORTH IDAHO — 2, Josh McCartain 69-69—138; 3, Charlie Terwilliger 72-70—142; 5, Jarett Giles 73-73—146; T6, Spence Matson 71-76—147; T12, Dyson Lish 76-76—152; T17, Quinn Abbott 78-77—155.

WOMEN

TEAM SCORES — 1, North Idaho 249-252—501. 2, Bellevue 264-267—531. 3, Centrallia 265-272—537. 4, Olympic 289-285—574. 5, Skagit Valley 296-286—582.

TOP INDIVIDUALS — 1, Jayda Thomas, Centralia, 80-82—162 (won playoff). 2, Nyah Dayton, Olympic, 82-80—162. 3, Laila Jalil, North Idaho, 79-88—167.

NORTH IDAHO — 3, Laila Jali 79-88—167; T4, Ava Young 85-84—169; T4, Sofia Lippiello 85-84—169; 6, Lauryn Bulger 87-84—171; 7, Rien Solodan 87-85—172; T8, Megan Quinton 88-85—173.

To view the full article, please visit the CDA Press at this link.