BOONE — The Iowa Central women’s golf team put together a strong opening round here Tuesday as the NJCAA Div. II National Championship began at Cedar Pointe Golf Course.

The Tritons currently sit third overall behind Shelton State and Mesa. Shelton State shot a 23-over with Mesa six strokes back. Iowa Central is 10 shots behind Mesa and six ahead of Snead State and Murray State, with fellow ICCAC qualifiers North Iowa Area and Des Moines Area in sixth and eighth.

Ivanna Becerra-Diaz is tied for second after a round of 2-over 74, one shot back of Ashley Nelson from Snead State. Becerra-Diaz carded a pair of birdies on the back nine to go along with 12 pars and four bogeys.

“Great start to the week,” ICCC head coach Kris Graewin said. “Being familiar with Cedar Pointe has helped calm the nerves for the ladies and they played well.

“Ivanna had a great back nine and made some really key putts. We’ve got some work to do to catch the leaders but the ladies are playing hard and battling a ton. Looking forward to getting back out there on Wednesday morning.”

Olivia Eckert is tied for 16th, Brooklyn Backoff is tied for 33rd and Jenna Kramer is tied for 44th. Eckert overcame a double-bogey on the first to shoot an 80 while Backoff carded an 85 and Kramer an 88.

Tee times begin at 8 a.m. and continue through 10:20 a.m. on No. 1 and No. 10 of the par-72, 5,929-yard course. The event continues through Friday.