Photo by Kirk Hardcastle, special to The Messenger: Okira Quinter of Iowa Central watches a tee shot on Tuesday during the opening round of the women’s NJCAA national golf tournament.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Iowa Central women’s golf team opened play here Tuesday at the NJCAA Div. II Championship from the Ol’Colony Golf Course.

After 18 holes of play, the Tritons are in 13th place overall. Shelton State holds the team lead.

Murray State, Jefferson State, Southern Union State, Mesa and Jacksonville round out the Top-5.

Fellow ICCAC qualifiers DMACC and NIACC are 10th and 11th. Iowa Central is 37 strokes behind the Bears and nine back of the Trojans following the first round.

Azul Orantes had the best round of the day for the Tritons, as she is tied for 22nd overall following her 84. She had a birdie on the par-4 16th hole and carded six pars, finishing with a 39 on the back nine.

Okira Quintero is tied for 35th after her 87, Syeda Laiba Shah is 76th following a round of 101 and Victoria Verstichel is 78th after shooting a 104.

“Azul played very well, as did Okira,” ICCC head coach Kris Graewin said. “We need some more consistency from the rest of the players, otherwise it’s going to be a long rest of the week.”

Kylee Lynn of Southern Union State was the only golfer to break-par, firing a 2-under for the lead by three strokes over Amiya Raja of Murray State. Lynn had an eagle on the par-5 14th and recorded three birdies.

Three more rounds will be contested over the next three days.