By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Niles and host Lakeshore slugged it out for the top spot in the Big 16 Conference West Division Jamboree on Thursday at Berrien Hills Country Club.
The Vikings walked away with a two-stroke victory over the Lancers and the overall lead in the West Division.
Niles finished with a 161, while Lakeshore was second with a 163. St. Joseph finished third with a 172, while Dowagiac was fourth with a 179.
Benton Harbor did not field a full squad.
Lakeshore's C.J. Wright and Niles' Jeff Jurgonski tied for medalist honors with a two-over par 37.
Niles also got a 39 from Alex Welch, a 41 from Nick Horn and a 44 from Chris Haas. Scott Majerek shot 45 and D.J. Wolnick 48.
St. Joseph was led by Brandon Mock's 40.
Dowagiac was led by Jared Schinski who shot 43. The Chieftains also got a 44 from Nick Krizinski, a 45 from Zack Russom, a 47 from Kevin Proshwitz and a 49 from Tanner Melvin.
Richie Hutchinson finished with a 53.
Benton Harbor's Justin Williams shot a 45 for the Tigers.
The West Division will return to the links on
JV jamboree
Lakeshore won the junior varsity Big 16 West Division jamboree on Thursday.
The Lancers finished with a 172, while Niles was second with a 188 and St. Joseph third with a 192. Dowagiac was fourth with a 202.
Warren Simpson shot a 43 for the Vikings. Nick Musser shot a 45 and Jordan Hendricks, Jared Kabara, Zack Bloss and David Ralston all shot 50's.
Dowagiac was led by Hunter Topping's 46. Mike Hoff finished with a 47, while Jeremy Shank shot 52, Trent Fryman shot 57 and Nick Rossow shot 66.