BISMARCK, N.D. - The Beavers dominated in Bismarck this week.
The Minot State women swept the titles, and turned in four career-best rounds in the process, at the United Printing Marauders Invitational at the Hawktree Golf Course.
The Beavers shot a team total of 91-over 667 (337-330) and beat second-place Jamestown by 26 strokes.
Freshman
Emily Watts led the way, earning individual medalist honors as she won the tournament with a 9-over 153, shooting rounds of 79 and a career-best 74 on Tuesday. The win was the first collegiate victory for the freshman from Toronto, Ontario.
She was backed up by runner-up champion and teammate
Natalie Van Dort, who carded a career-best 75 on Monday and finished the two-day tournament, hosted by the University of Mary, at 20-over 164 (75-89).
The rest of the Beaver women's team helped claim the team title by bunching their scores just outside the top 10 as
Macie Sebelius finished 11th at 32-over 176 (97-79),
Micaela Resler was 12th at 35-over 179 (90-89), and
Carlie Brown tied for 13th at 37-over 181 (93-88).
Sebelius shot a career best 79 on Tuesday and Brown a career-best 88 in the final round.
"I'm so proud of the women!" Minot State coach Dakota Brekhus said. "A team win, individual win and second-place, and two more personal bests! They played unbelievably well, and I can't be more proud of them as their coach!"
While the Minot State women dominated their half of the tournament, the Minot State men turned in a strong second day, as the Beaver "A" team moved up to 8th place led by a second-day charge by
Kasen Rostad, whose 1-under 71 on Tuesday helped land him in a tie for 3rd at 1-over 145 (74-71).
"Kasen played really well also and made an amazing comeback to finish 3rd!" Brekhus said.
He led the Beavers, who finished 8th at 55-over 631 (312-319). Minot State played with just four players in the final round as
Quinn Shillingstad tied for 49th at 17-over 161 (85-76),
Porter Barnett was 53rd at 19-over 163 (80-83), and
Cameron Schwab tied for 70th at 30-over 174 (85-89).
Minot State's second team on the course, the Beavers "B" team, finished 11th at 102-over 678 (322-356), and was led by
Brock Jones, who tied for 55th at 21-over 165 (76-89).
Fischer Johnson was next, tying for 62nd at 24-over 168 (82-86),
Michael Felchle was 69th at 27-over 171 (84-87),
Gunther Soltvedt tied for 70th at 30-over 174 (80-94), and
Joshua Lindbo was 73rd at 51-over 195 (98-97).
Playing as an individual in the event, Minot State's Kaden Carlson was 55th at 21-over 165 (80-85).
Augustana swept the titles on the men's side with the Vikings shooting even-par 576 as a team (284-292), and Henry Hartquist winning the individual title at 5-under 139 (67-72).
The Minot State golf teams now return home for their next tournament as the Beavers host the Battle in the North at the Beowulf Golf Club, Monday and Tuesday, October 5 and 6. The tournament is the first home golf tournament hosted by Minot State in the program's NCAA era.
The Beavers will host the men's and women's teams from Mary and Jamestown, along with the women's teams from Minnesota State Moorhead and Bemidji State for the two-day event. Action gets underway at 9 a.m. on Monday, and the second round tees off at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
