By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
St. Joseph grabbed the lead in the Big 16 Conference West Division race with a win on Monday in the season-opening jamboree at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course.
The Lady Bears edged host Dowagiac by a point, 238-239, to take the lead heading into Wednesday's second jamboree hosted by Benton Harbor at Blossom Trails.
Niles finished third with a team total of 289, while Benton Harbor finished fourth at 312.
Dowagiac was led by Elizabeth Grady's 57.
Amanda Mengel shot 58 for the Chieftains, who also got a 60 from April Steward, a 64 from Megan Wheeler and 66s from Erin Ausra and Jessy Oprea.
Niles was paced by Jenna Semrinec's 68.
The Lady Vikings also got a 71 from Kilary Landgraf, a 73 from Kasey Clark, a 77 from Courtney Miller, a 78 from Rachel Gibson and a 84 from Amanda Smith.
The players competed on the West Course on Monday. Wednesday's jamboree is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.