By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - Niles opened up the Big 16 Conference West Division portion of its season with a victory Wednesday afternoon at Hampshire Country Club.
The host Lady Vikings shot 233 to beat St. Joseph by 11 strokes. The Lady Bears finished with a 244.
Dowagiac took third with a 266. Benton Harbor was fourth. The Lady Tigers only had three golfers.
Niles gets four points for winning the jamboree.
St. Joseph is second with three points and Dowagiac third with two points. Benton Harbor has one point.
Niles' Jenna Somrinec was the medalist on Wednesday after shooting 53.
The Lady Vikings also got a 58 from Hilary Langraf, a 60 from Kelsey Neilson and a 62 from Rachel Shinskey.
Also playing for Niles on Wednesday were Kate Schaelka and Amanda Gamso who shot 67 and 69 respectively.
Dowagiac was led by Carly Gantt who shot 56. Jessy Oprea finished with a 66, while Brittany Munson shot 70 and Brooke Lamb shot 74.
Also playing for Dowagiac were Taylor Townsend and Katie Mattix who shot 78 and 79 respectively.
Niles returns to the course Monday at Indiana Lake Hills for the second Big West jamboree. Play will begin at 3:30 p.m.
The Vikings return after that on April 26 at home against St. Joseph. Play time is set for 3:30 p.m.