FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, April 25, 2017 Porter leads MSUB men at GNAC Championships
In their final collegiate event, seniors Michael Porter and Connor Miele have strong showings with the former placing 12th and the latter notching MSUB’s top score of the day with a 73 at the GNAC Championships. COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – In the final event of their collegiate careers, Montana State University Billings seniors Connor Miele and Michael Porter led the Yellowjackets at the 2017 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships presented by the Coeur d’Alene Resort Tuesday. Porter tied for 12th place at the event, finishing with a three-round total of 223 (73-74-76). Miele had MSUB’s top round on Tuesday, with a 2-over-par 73, and finished in 19th place overall at 226 (77-76-73). The Yellowjackets wound up in sixth place as a team, totaling a score of 906 (297-309-300) at the par-71, 6,803-yard course.
Playing consistently throughout the three rounds, Porter had just three holes at double bogey or worse among the 54 that he played on the weekend. He combatted those with six birdies, including two of the tournament’s nine total on the world-famous floating green on the par-3 14th hole. Miele came out on fire in his final collegiate round, carding four birdies and a 1-under-par 34 on the front-nine. He added a fifth birdie on the back-nine, to help complete his best round of the tournament. He matched Porter for the lowest single-round score by a ‘Jacket at the event. Finishing in a tie for 21st place was freshman Caleb Stetzner, who totaled a score of 228 (74-79-75). Stetzner had MSUB’s lone eagle of the tournament, saving two strokes on the par-5, 495-yard 15th hole. The freshman also had a birdie on the first hole Tuesday, and played the front-nine at just 2-over-par 37. Fellow freshman Garrett Woodin tied for 25th place, and totaled a threeround score of 231 (75-80-76). Woodin finished strong, with three birdies over his final five holes at the event. He was consistent overall, with only one series of nine holes at worse than 3-over par. Woodin thrived on the floating green, playing it a 1-under-par in three tries, including sticking his tee shot to within inches for an easy birdie on Tuesday.
Freshman Caleb Stetzner finished tied for 21st at his firstever GNAC Championships Tuesday.
Rounding out MSUB’s team of five golfers was sophomore Austin Walter, who finished in 29th place with a 235 (75-8377). Walter turned in three birdies on Tuesday, and had just five holes total out of 54 with a score of double bogey or worse. Like Woodin, he had no trouble with the floating green as he made par in all three tries on Hole 14. Western Washington University won the team title with a three-round score of 871 (292-289-290), rallying to defeat second-place Concordia University by a single stroke. Simon Fraser University’s Chris Crisologo claimed the individual title, matching the low score Tuesday with a 71 and finishing with a three-round score of 208 (70-67-71). THE BUZZ: Miele was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day. 2017 GNAC Men’s Golf Championships Coeur d’Alene Resort | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Final Results | April 25, 2017 Team – 1. Western Washington, 871 (292-289-290); 6. MSU Billings, 906 (297-309-300). Individuals – 1. Chris Crisologo, SFU, 208 (70-67-71); T12. Michael Porter, MSUB, 223 (73-74-76); 19. Connor Miele, MSUB, 226 (77-76-73); T21. Caleb Stetzner, MSUB, 228 (74-79-75); T25. Garrett Woodin, MSUB, 231 (75-80-76); 29. Austin Walter, MSUB, 235 (75-83-77). --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--