Yellowjackets Begin 2008-09 Season with a Bang

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – The Montana State Billings women’s golf team began the 2008-09 season winning the Chadron State Invitational Tuesday on the par 72, 6,000 yard course.  The Yellowjackets defeated Western New Mexico (668-679) in the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament of the year.  Host Chadron State finished seventh in the 10-team tournament.

Western New Mexico was second followed by Fort Hays State (680), Mesa State (686), Nebraska-Kearney (687) rounded out the top five.  WNMU’s Carissa Schwalm and Nebraska-Kearney’s Sara Wissing tied for first with a 158. Schwalm opened the tournament with an 82 and fired a 76 Tuesday to move from a tie for eighth to first place.

Amy Nordeen paced the Yellowjackets with a 162 (79-83) to lead the team.  Kalli Stanhope had the biggest improvement from the first round to the second as she carded a 90 Monday and followed up with a 77 on Tuesday for a 167 score.  Lindsey Erickson also carded a 167, while Erin Heaney had a 172 and Libby Rutz had a 185 for the tournament.  As a team, the Jackets dropped 14 strokes Tuesday to win the tournament as they shot a 327 for the second round. 

Individual team statistics and final placement were not available at the time this release was written.

On the Monday, the Yellowjackets scored a 341 as a team and were in second place heading into Tuesday’s final round.  Western New Mexico had a six stroke lead on MSUB, 335-341.  Nordeen was tied for third in the first round to lead the Jackets.  She carded a 79 to open the tournament.  Wissing and Sam Nielsen of Fort Hays State each had 78’s Monday.

The Yellowjackets now head to Mesa State for the Mesa State Invitational, Sept. 22-23, and will return home for the Rocky Mountain Invitational Sept. 28-29.   

1. Montana State Billings 341 – 327 = 668
Amy Nordeen: 79-83 = 162
Kalli Stanhope: 90-77 = 167
Lindsay Erickson: 81-86 = 167
Erin Heaney: 91-81 = 172
Libby Rutz: 94-91 = 185