The Charger golf teams opened the Iowa Central Invite Saturday with a pair of strong performances. The Charger women posted their lowest team score of the season, behind low scores from Helene Getz Bergmo and Frankie Valencia. The Charger men are within striking distance after 18 holes, tying for second with four golfers in the top 20 individually.
 
"Helene and Frankie showed their strengths today by carding their best rounds of this spring," said head coach Ben Irlbeck. "I was very happy to see Grace come in strong – she was very close to coming in even lower today. Her off-season adjustments are looking good."
 
Bergmo continued her steady spring play in round one with her season low score of 76 (+5). She rolled in two birdies to go with 10 pars. She sits five shots back of the leader and one stroke off second place. Valencia's best stretch of play came on the front nine holes carding a 37 (+2). She is one shot behind Bergmo and is tied for fifth with a 77 (+6).
 
"We will continue to improve as we approach conference," said Irlbeck. "A team win tomorrow would help build overall team confidence. Looking forward to watching this group compete tomorrow."
 
Grace Johanson is also in the top-10 individually after posting an 80 (+9). Johanson is tied for eighth and had one birdie on the day. Emily Harste turned in an 85 (+14) is tied for 17th. Molly Diekmann was the fifth member of the Charger squad and carded an 87 (+16). Kelly Baade golfed individually and shot a 95 (+24).
 
Mason Collins posted the best score for the Charger men with a 74 (+3). Collins tallied three birdies on the day with 10 pars. Andrew Arndorfer is tied for 12th after posting a 75 (+4) with two birdies. 
 
Shaunak Rama and Desmond Landin are tied for 17th after carding matching 76's (+5). Rama had one birdie on the par-four 16th hole, while Landin birdied hole 15. Elijah Lamoureux is tied for 29th and had a score of 78 (+7) and had two birdies. Braxton Brockhaus is competing individually and is tied for 34th with a score of 79 (+8).
 
"The men battled through a slow start today," said assistant coach Erik Ingenluijff. "They held on the back nine to stay in the tournament."
 
The Chargers are back at the Fort Dodge Country Club tomorrow for the final round of the Iowa Central Spring Invite.