By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
The Dowagiac varsity golf team captured the school's first Big 16 Conference West Division championship on Monday at Blossom Trails.
The Chieftains, winners of the last two division jamborees, tied with St. Joseph for the title.
According to first-year Dowagiac coach Greg Blomgren, there is no tiebreaker.
On Monday the Chieftains shot 228 to easily outdistance runner-up St. Joseph, which shot 243 as a team.
Niles finished third with a 255. Benton Harbor did not have a score as one of its four players did not finish.
Jenna Semrinec paced Niles Monday with a score of 59. Amanda Gamso added a 61 and Hillary Landgraf shot 65. No other Niles scores were available at press time.
Dowagiac won the Niles jamboree on May 3 as it shot 236. St. Joseph shot 253.
Dowagiac landed four players on the All-Division team which was selected based on stroke average.
Wheeler tied for second in the division, while Mengel was third, Ausra fifth and Steward sixth.
Niles' Semrinec also was named to the squad.
Wednesday's match betweenNiles and Dowagiac has been cancelled due to a course conflict.
The Chieftains and Vikings will compete in the Big 16 Conference Tournament on Monday, May 17.
The Division 3 regional tournament will be held May 24 in Battle Creek.