PORTLAND, Ore. — Following a historic performance at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships, Montana State Billings standout
Pete Netrnilweerachot has been named First Team All-GNAC, while freshman
Aubrey Kelley earned GNAC Co-Freshman of the Year honors.
Netrnilweerachot's performance not only earned him First Team All-GNAC honors but also etched his name into the MSUB record books. He becomes just the fifth Yellowjacket in the GNAC era to earn First Team All-Conference recognition and the first since Liam O'Halloran in 2023-24. His second-place finish stands as the highest individual finish at the GNAC Championships in program history.
On the heels of that historic effort, Kelley also secured his place in program history. The freshman standout becomes just the fourth player in MSUB history to be named GNAC Freshman of the Year and the first since Caleb Stetzner earned the honor in 2016-17, capping off one of the most consistent debut seasons in recent memory.
"Pete had an incredible week at the GNAC Championships," said head coach
Adam Buie. "He came out firing with rounds of 69 and 69 to put himself in contention right away and earned a spot in the final group on the last day. The conditions in that final round were as tough as we've seen all year — cold, windy, and rainy — but he handled it with composure. To grind out nine straight pars and finish with a 75 in those conditions says everything about his toughness. His up-and-down for par on 18 was huge, and it really capped off a special performance."
The Chon Buri, Thailand native delivered his best golf when it mattered most. Entering the conference tournament ranked 27th in the GNAC in scoring average at 74.95, Netrnilweerachot elevated his level of play on the biggest stage of the season. His three-round total of 213 (69-69-75) not only tied him for second place but also shattered his previous career-best 54-hole score by four strokes while setting a new program benchmark at the conference championships.
Kelley's season-long consistency made him a clear choice for GNAC Co-Freshman of the Year honors. The Emigrant, Montana native was a fixture in the Yellowjackets' lineup, competing in every event and leading the team with a 74.52 scoring average across 25 rounds. His reliability set him apart, as he did not record a single round in the 80s all season — a remarkable feat for a first-year collegiate golfer.
Kelley also showcased his ability to compete at a high level with multiple standout performances throughout the year. He recorded a 54-hole career best of 216 at the RJGA Palm Valley Classic and posted a 36-hole low of 147 at the Travis Roy Memorial. Over the course of the season, he fired three rounds in the 60s and finished inside the top 20 in seven tournaments, including a pair of fifth-place finishes at the Homestake Invitational and the Briarwood Shootout.
"Aubrey had a tremendous freshman campaign, and this award is well deserved," Buie said. "He was the only player on our team to appear in every lineup this season, and his consistency was outstanding. To go the entire year without a round in the 80s is impressive at any level, but especially for a freshman. He strikes the ball extremely well, and his potential is incredibly high. We're excited to see how he continues to develop because he has all the tools to be a special player for us."
Together, Netrnilweerachot and Kelley's achievements highlight a significant step forward for the MSUB men's golf program. With a historic finish at the conference championships and one of the top freshman seasons in recent history, the Yellowjackets continue to build momentum and establish themselves as a rising contender within the GNAC.
