By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
Niles captured the SMAC West Division championship after finishing second to Lakeshore at the St. Joseph jamboree at The Oaks on Monday. The Vikings finished tied with Lakeshore for the division crown.
The Vikings shot 167, while the Lancers shot 163. Host St. Joseph was third with a 168 and Dowagiac fourth with a 172. Benton Harbor shot 241.
Niles' Ben Landgraf was the West Division medalist with an average of 37.2. He also finished first at Monday's jamboree. This was the second year in a row he was the top golfer in the division.
Dowagiac's David Maxey finished second in the division and earned All-West Division honors with an average of 39.2. C.J. Wright of Lakeshore finished third with a stroke average of 40.0. Tom Valha of Lakeshore was fourth (42.0), Ryan clem of Lakeshore was fifth (42.4), Brett Newman of St. Joseph was fifth (42.4), Chris Haas of Niles was sixth (42.75), D.J. Wolnick of Niles was seventh (43.4) and Josh Yskes of St. Joseph was eighth (43.4).
Named All-West Division honorable mention were Ken Scott of Dowagiac, Justin Williams of Benton Harbor, Sean Castaey of Lakeshore, Jeff Jurgonski of Niles and Donovan Eagon of St. Joseph.
Niles' junior varsity team also played Monday, finishing second to St. Joseph at Hampshire. The Vikings were led by Jordan Hendricks, Nick Horn and Jared Kabara who all shot 46s.