HUDSON, Wis. – It was a spectacular debut for two of Minot State's new faces on the golf course as Max Palmer and Emily Watts each played their way to a Top 5 finish at the Beavers' season-opener, the MSU/CSP Fall Brawl.

An eagle-birdie finish for Palmer helped him tie for 2nd in the men's individual standings, two shots off the tournament lead, while Watts had a late birdie herself to climb into a tie for 4th in the women's standings, also two shots from the tournament title.

They set the tone for the Beavers as the Minot State men were 7th overall at 47-over 615 (309-306), while the women finished 11th at 128-over 696 (354-342) at the Troy Burne Golf Club.

"I'm really proud of the way both teams fought to stay in it!," Minot State coach Dakota Brekus said. "To have a team Top-10 finish and two players in the Top 5 in that competitive of a field gives me great confidence for the rest of our season! Both teams played some great golf in tough conditions. Battling the rain and wind on day 1 and the wind on day 2, it was really fun to watch." 

Palmer, a Bottineau High School product and junior transfer from Chandler-Gilbert Community College, turned in a 1-over 72 on Monday in the first round. He then finished the par-5, 600-yard first hole with an eagle, and the par-4, 415-yard second hole with a birdie on Tuesday for an even-par 71 and a 36-hole score of 1-over 143.

Palmer finished tied with Bemidji State's Myles Jorde for second place, each two shots behind individual champion Brennan Weckwerth from Concordia-St. Paul (1-under 141).

As for Watts, a freshman from Toronto, Ontario, making her collegiate debut, she carded a 6-over 77 on Monday. Tuesday, she carded birdies on the par-5, 530-yard first hole and the par-4, 270-yard fourth hole for a strong early start to her round, and added a birdie on the par-5, 407-yard 12th hole for a 4-over 75.

Watts finished tied for 4th at 10-over 152 with Ashleigh Johnson from Wisconsin-Stout. They finished two shots back of co-tournament leaders Ella Matzke and Addi Wood, both of Concordia-St. Paul, who shot 9-over 150s, and one shot back of third-place Emerson Garlie of Minnesota State (9-over 151).

Concordia-St. Paul claimed the women's title by three shots over Wisconsin-Stout as the Golden Bears shot a team total of 54-over 622, while Mary won the men's team title by two shots over Concordia-St. Paul, turning in a score of 22-over 590.

As for the rest of the Beavers, Kasen Rostad added to a strong men's finish with a top 20 performance as he tied for 17th at 9-over 151 (76-75), Gunther Soltvedt tied for 32nd at 13-over 155 (80-75), Porter Barnett tied for 58th at 24-over 166 (81-85), and Quinn Shillingstad was 67th at 38-over180 (84-96).

On the ladies side, Natalie Van Dort tied for 48th at 30-over 172 (84-88), Micaela Resler was 68th at 45-over 187 (94-93), Carlie Brown was 70th at 53-over 195 (99-96), and Macie Sebelius was 71st at 55-over 197 (111-86).

With the first tournament of the fall in the books, the Beavers are back on the road next week, playing Monday and Tuesday at The Jewel Invitational hosted by Winona State at the The Jewel Golf Club in Lake City, Minnesota.