By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
Windy, rainy and cold conditions met the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference West Division schools Monday afternoon as they opened their season at Indiana Lake Hills Golf Course.
Niles was able to brave the conditions to bring home a first place effort after finishing with a team score of 229.
Dowagiac finished second with a score of 245, while St. Joseph was third at 248. Benton Harbor did not have enough players to post a team score. Lakeshore does not sponsor girls' golf.
Niles' Lauren Shelton earned medalist honors as she led the Lady Vikings to victory with a 49.
The Lady Vikings also got a 56 from Lorraine Willis, a 57 from Jenna Semrinec and a 67 from Chelsey Benjamin.
Dowagiac was led by Megan Wheeler's 59. Elizabeth Grady shot 60 for the Chieftains, who also got a pair of 63s from Amanda Mengel and Alicia Maxey. Erin Ausra shot 67 and Tiffany Ferrier shot 79 for the Chieftains.
Niles leads the West Division standings with four points. Dowagiac has three points and St. Joseph two. Benton Harbor received one point.