OLYMPIA, Wash. – Connor Miele finished his third round on Saturday with an even-par 71 to complete the Saint Martin's Invitational tied for second place with a 1-under par 212 (71-70-71) to pace the Montana State University Billings men's golf team at Olympia Golf & Country Club.
 
Miele played par golf his first time through the course, and followed with a 1-under 70 in Round 2 on Friday. The junior captain tied with Brett Johnson of Western Washington University for second place, and was six strokes behind medalist winner Chris Crisologo of Simon Fraser University with a 206 (73-70-63).
 
As a team the Yellowjackets finished in sixth place, shooting a three-round total of 884 (302-291-291) as they matched their score from Round 2 exactly in the final round on Saturday.
 
"I am very proud of the way our team played today," said MSUB head coach Shawn O'Brien. "We came out and got a great start to the morning and kept the momentum finishing strong. I am very excited to get home, have a few practices, and prepare for Chico State in a few weeks."
 
Finishing the tournament in 11th place was Yellowjacket junior Michael Porter, who fired a 217 (73-70-74). Three freshmen rounded out the field of five for MSUB, with Scott Larson checking in tied for 35th with a 227 (78-76-73). Braden Luper finished tied for 46th with a 229 (81-75-73), while Austin Walter finished tied for 70th with three straight rounds of 80 for a 240 total.
 
Among the 16-team field, five GNAC squads competed in the event, with Simon Fraser finishing in second place and Western Washington edging MSUB by two strokes in fifth place. Host Saint Martin's finished four strokes behind MSUB in seventh place, while Northwest Nazarene University finished in 11th place with a 912 (312-296-304).
 
The University of British Columbia held onto the lead it had after the first two rounds, and captured the team title with an 856 (287-276-293).
 
"I thought Coach Hightower did an excellent job today with the guys, and everyone fed off of each other allowing us to have a strong final round," O'Brien said crediting assistant coach Rhett Hightower who was in charge on Saturday. "Connor had an excellent tournament and I was very pleased to see him do well back in his home state."
 
Miele, a transfer to MSUB from Saint Martin's University, was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day for the Yellowjackets.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets are headed to California to participate in the Chico State Invitational at Butte Creek Country Club scheduled for Oct. 5-6.