Photo courtesy of Iowa Central Athletics: Iowa Central golfers (left to right) Syeda Laiba Shah, Azul Orantez, Victoria Vertischel and Okira Quintero stand with Triton coaches Kris Graewin (far left) and Grayson Blunt in Ankeny on Tuesday.

ANKENY — Three Iowa Central women’s golfers finished in a tie for fourth individually here on Tuesday as the North Plains District Tournament concluded from Otter Creek Golf Course.

Okira Quintero, Syeda Laiba Shah and Azul Orantez each shot matching rounds to place behind winner Meghan DeLong of NIACC and DMACC teammates Megan Wilde and Hannah Kenkel.

Both Quintero and Shah advance to the NJCAA Div. II Women’s Golf Championships as automatic individual qualifiers. DMACC and NIACC finished head of Iowa Central to advance, with three more at-large squads to be selected at a later date.

“Thrilled for our ladies and how they played the past two days,” ICCC head coach Kris Graewin said. “Every single one of them was able to step up in different ways. Okira, Laiba and Azul making first-team all district was awesome and so rewarding for all their hardwork.

“Victoria (Vertischel) has been injured and played through severe pain the past two days to give us a chance as a team. I truly couldn’t be more proud of our ladies. Right now we wait to see if we can get an at-large bid as a team but if not, Okira and Laiba will represent us well.”

Quintero, Shah and Orantez finished with 171s, as Quintero and Shah each carded 83s on Monday and 88s on Tuesday. Orantes, meanwhile, went 88 on Monday and 83 on Tuesday.

Vertischel was the fourth golfer for Iowa Central, placing 17th with a 185.

The NJCAA Div. II National Tournament is scheduled for May 12-15 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. from the Ol’Colony Golf Course.

Starting Sunday, the Iowa Central men will compete in the North Central District Tournament from Whispering Creek Country Club in Sioux City. That tournament is scheduled for three rounds, with the NJCAA Div. II Men’s Golf Championship taking place May 20-22 in Plymouth, Ind. from Swan Lake Resort.