RAPID CITY, SD. – For the first time in MSUB history, MSUB men's and woman's golf wins the Hardrocker Invitational. Also, for the first time in school history, Orraya Tipasathien and Graedon Woodward took the individual crown as tournament champions.
 
The women posted a final team score of 628 (321-307), finishing 17 strokes better than the second-place team and 38 strokes better than their team score from a year ago. The men stood atop the leaderboard with a final team score of 611 (308-303), beating out their closest competitors by 11 total strokes.
 
HEAR FROM BUIE: "Super pumped for this group all together. We had the top three men and two of the top three women. Not only did we pick up both team wins but we also came back with both individual titles as well. It was awesome to see both Jan and Graedon pick up their first career wins."
 
Tipasathien led the way for the women, entering the clubhouse at the top of the leaderboard with a 155 (78-77). The sophomore led majority of the tournament but fell to as low as third place with three holes to go. Tipasathien earned the win, going birdie, birdie, par to close it out and claim first place honors. On the men's side, Woodward got ahead of the field early, shooting the best round of the tournament (70) in the opening 18 holes and never looked back. In his Yellowjacket debut, Woodward matched his two under first round score with an even par 72, finishing out with a 142 total on the weekend and taking home the hardware.
 
HEAR FROM BUIE: "The women's team picked up a huge win for the program. Augustana won the Central Region Preview two weeks ago, so beating them will be huge for the rankings. Haylee had one of her best career events as well with a 5th place finish and shooting a 78-80 on a tough course. Our freshman came up big time today with a 74 from Ella, which was the best round of the tournament and a 76 from Pygmy. It was a total team effort across the board."
 
Right behind Tipasathien for the women was true freshman Pygmy Kompoj. Kompoj finished out with a 156 (80-76) and coming in T-2^nd in her collegiate debut. Also in the mix was Haylee Adams who finished out with a career best 158 (78-80) and a tournament placement best, coming in 5^th place overall. True freshman Ella Tannenberger also finished in the top 10, coming in T-6^th in her collegiate debut, finishing out with a two-round score of 159 (85-74). Rounding it out for the Yellowjacket women was Gia Vargas who tied for 19^th place overall at 169 (86-83) and individual Meilyn Armstrong, who tied for 29^th and posted a two-round score of 175 (90-85).
 
Hayato Ito made some noise on the men's side competing as an individual. Ito finished second out of all the MSUB men, and second in the entire tournament, posting his best two round score in an MSUB uniform at 147 (75-72). Also in the mix was true freshman and Skyview High School graduate, Logan Connolly. Connolly shot an even par round on the final day to post a final two round score of 150 (78-72) and coming in 3^rd place overall. Rounding it out for the Yellowjacket men was Pete Netrnilweerachot who tied for 12^th overall at 160 (80-80), Kaopun Akmaneenin in 16^th place at 162 (80-82), and Trey Engellant who tied for 18^th place at 164 (85-79).
 
HEAR FROM BUIE: "The men's team came out on top this week even with all six guys that have never seen the Golf Club at Red Rock. To have the top three finishers when this is their first time playing together is very impressive. Graedon was steady all week and Logan and Hayato played really well shooting even par on a tough course today."
 
THE BUZZ: Graedon Woodward and Orraya Tipasathien were named Intermountain Health Performers of the Day after winning individual titles and leading the Yellowjackets to being crowned team tournament champions.
 
UP NEXT: The MSUB women head back to South Dakota for the Black Hills State Classic on September 23^rd and the men head to Dupont, WA for the SMU Bishop Invitational on September 26^th.
 
Hardrocker Invitational (women's)
Results – September 17, 2024
Golf Club at Red Rock – Rapid City, SD
Team – 1. MSUB, 628 (321-307). Individuals – 1. Orraya Tipasathien, MSUB 155 (78-77); T2. Pygmy Kompoj, MSUB 156 (80-76); 5. Haylee Adams, MSUB 158 (78-80); T6. Ella Tannenberger, MSUB 159 (85-74); T19. Gia Vargas, MSUB 169 (86-83); Individual T29. Meilyn Armstrong, MSUB 175 (90-85).
 
Hardrocker Invitational (men's)
Results – September 17, 2024
Golf Club at Red Rock – Rapid City, SD
Team – 1. MSUB, 611 (308-303). Individuals – 1. Graedon Woodward, MSUB 142 (70-72); 3. Logan Connolly, MSUB 150 (78-72); T12. Pete Netrnilweerachot, MSUB 160 (80-80); 16. Kaopun Akmaneenin, MSUB 162 (80-82); T18. Trey Engellant, MSUB 164 (85-79); Individual 2. Hayato Ito, MSUB 147 (75-72).