Three Golfers Join Jacket Teams (5/22/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Three Montana prep golfers have signed letters of intent to play for Montana State University Billings next season.  Men’s player Paul Johns of Anaconda and women’s players Shayla Couture of Ronan and Lindsay Erickson of Clancy will become Yellowjackets in the fall.

Johns lettered four years at Anaconda High School.  He placed sixteenth at this year’s Class A state tournament, posting rounds of 79 and 77.  Johns was a divisional champion in 2005 and earned all-conference honors in 2004 and 2005.  The Copperheads won divisional titles in 2004 and 2005.

“MSU Billings appealed to me because it had both the academic and athletic programs I was interested in,” said Johns.  “I have looked over the golf program, and I think I will really enjoy it.  I also enjoy the small campus along with the small class sizes.”

Couture lettered three times in golf, four times in basketball, and once in softball at Ronan High School.  She led the Maidens to a fourth place team finish at the state meet with rounds of 85 and 88.  Couture earned all-state honors twice, placing fifth at the Class A state tournament as a senior and ninth as a junior.  She had an 85 average this season and won three tournaments.

“I wanted to attend a home state college,” said Couture.  “MSU Billings is a smaller, friendlier college.  I was looking to play golf, and MSUB offered me the opportunity.”

Erickson lettered four years at Helena High School.  She helped the Bengals to runner-up finishes at the state tournament in 2003 and 2004.  As a senior, Erickson was the Bengals’ team MVP, placing second at the Class AA state tourney.  She carded rounds of 84 and 83 to finish three strokes off the lead.  Erickson also played on the Montana team in the Montana/Alberta Cup.

“MSU Billings is a perfect fit for both my athletic and academic needs,” said Erickson.  “I will benefit by being at a relatively small college where my professors will acknowledge my commitment to the Yellowjacket golf team.  I am eager for my future golf career at MSU Billings.  Moreover, Billings is close to my hometown where my family resides, and I am blessed with all their support.”