BILLINGS, Mont. – Connor Miele shot a 7-under-par, three-round total of 206 at Peter Yegen Golf Club, leading the Montana State University Billings men's golf team to a first-place finish at the Rocky Mountain College Invitational wrapping up on Monday.
 
The Yellowjackets jumped to an early lead at the event on Sunday, by setting a school single-round record with a 269. MSUB finished with a 284 in Round 2 on Sunday, and wrapped up with a 286 on Monday to hold off the Warriors with a three-round score of 839. "This was a great tournament, and I was really proud of our men," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "They played extremely well early, and set the tone yesterday. Today the weather was difficult, but a lot of guys fought to the end."
 

Miele shot back-to-back rounds of 68 on Sunday, and finished with a 1-under-par 70 on Monday to claim second place overall at the event with a 206. The senior was edged by Lewis-Clark State's Chris Lien, who totaled a 202 (66-67-69) at the event. "There was an energy and flow, walking around and crossing holes with your players and you see everyone upbeat," Miele said referring to the team's record-setting round on Sunday. "We were good through the lineup this week, and we are clicking right now." 

Finishing in fourth place for MSUB was freshman Caleb Stetzner, who wound up with a 4-under-par 209 (67-72-70). "The first day I didn't finish my second round that great, but overall I was happy with it," Stetzner said. "When I heard everybody was under par going into my back nine, it just fueled me to keep going lower."
 
Senior Michael Porter shot an even-par 71 in his final round on Monday, and wound up in a tie for fifth place with a 212 overall. Completing the field of five for the 'Jackets were freshman Garrett Woodin, who tied for 11th with a 216 (69-72-75), and sophomore Austin Walter, who finished tied for 13th with a 218 (65-75-78).
 
Competing for the 'Jackets as individuals were sophomore Scott Larson and Dylan Meccage. Larson shot his best round of the tournament on Monday, with a 3-over-par 74, and finished in a tie for 30th place with a 226 overall. Competing in his first-ever college tournament, Meccage tied for 36th place with a three-round score of 230 (76-75-79).
 
"This was a good event for us, and we got some really good play up and down the lineup," Woodin commented. "The depth of our guys is paying off, and I look forward to seeing how they compete in Portland in their next tournament."
 
THE BUZZ: Miele was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…it was Miele's third career top-five finish for the 'Jackets…over his first three college tournaments, Stetzner has made par or better in three of his eight rounds…players battled constant showers and steady wind throughout a difficult third round on Monday.
 
COMING UP: MSUB heads to Portland, Ore., for the Concordia University Invite running Oct. 17-18 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club. It will be the final tournament of the fall for the 'Jackets, who resume play at the East/West Bay Area Invite in Livermore, Calif., on Feb. 27-28, 2017.
 
Rocky Mountain College Invitational
Peter Yegen Golf Club | Billings, MT
Final Results | October 3, 2016
Team – 1. MSU Billings, 839 (269-284-286). Individual – 1. Chris Lien, LCSC, 202 (66-67-69); 2. Connor Miele, MSUB, 206 (68-68-70); 4. Caleb Stetzner, MSUB, 209 (67-72-70); T5. Michael Porter, MSUB, 212 (69-72-71); T11. Garrett Woodin, MSUB, 216 (69-72-75); T13. Austin Walter, MSUB, 218 (65-75-78); T30. Scott Larson, MSUB, 226 (75-77-74); T36. Dylan Meccage, MSUB, 230 (76-75-79).