Spaulding leads Storm at Simpson Spring Invite

INDIANOLA - Senior Matt Spaulding finished in a seven-way tie for eighth with a 4-over 75, and Simpson placed ninth of 23 teams at the Simpson Spring Invitational in Indianola on Wednesday.

Central won the event with a team score of 298. William Penn took second (300), followed by Central White (302), Wartburg (303) and AIB (312) rounding out the top-five. Simpson finished a stroke behind teams from Grinnell and Central with a 317.

Central's Alex Huyser took medalist honors, shooting a 1-under 70 on the 6,369-yard course.

Out of Fonda, Iowa, Spaulding paced the Storm for the sixth time in eight varsity events this season. After opening with a 42 on the front nine, he shaved nine strokes on the back. His 33 on the final nine holes was the lowest of the day.

James Montgomery closed the day one stroke behind Spaulding with a 5-over 76, good for a tie for 15th. Connor Juilfs tied for 52nd with an 81, Nick Tanner shot an 85 and Grant Northway shot an 86th to round out Simpson's first team.

Matt Haley led the effort for the second team, tying for 38th with an 8-over 79, his low round of the season. Tanner Birchmier shot an 81 in his first competition, followed by Marc Don Carlos (83), Mitch Bracker (84), James Foote (86), Joe Hupp (87) and Brett Shaeffer (90).

The men's team returns to action April 3-4 at the Grand View Invitational, held at Briarwood Country Club in Ankeny.