RAPID CITY, S.D. --- The Dickinson State Golf Invite, hosted by South Dakota School of Mines concluded Monday at Arrowhead Country Club with both the Hardrocker men's and women's teams taking top honors.
"Overall, I was very pleased with our second-day performance," said Hardrocker golf head coach Tye Roy.
 
On the men's side, the Rockers split into an 'A' and 'B' squad. The SD Mines men's 'A' team won the 36-hole two-day event tallying 614 strokes after shooting 307 both days.  The Hardrocker 'B' squad came in second place with a total of 644 strokes (331-313) and Dickinson State grabbed third place with a 647.

"On the men's side we had a decent tournament," Roy said. "The 'A' team continued solid play by posting another 307 team score for the day. I was extremely proud of our 'B' team as they bounced back from a tough first day and improved by 18 strokes for Day 2."
 
Individually for the men's division, Hardrocker Bryce Howard led wire-to-wire carding a two-round score of 151 (75-76) to take top honors. Teammate Lane Jensen and DSU's Carter Klein both posted scores of 152 to share second place. Jensen shot 76 both days.

"Freshman Bryce Howard and Lane Jensen led the way, both not having their best stuff, but able to grind out solid rounds. I am very proud of Bryce as he had another day of decent shot making and just couldn't get the ball to drop on his putts," Roy said. "He started slow and then held on for a decent round. Bryce ended up winning the event by one shot over Lane, so great to have those two having a dual down the stretch."

Steven Bendt and Alex Lesselyoung tied for fourth place, each putting up scores of 156. Bendt carded a 75 on Sunday and followed that up with an 81 Monday while Lesselyoung came in with 78 both days.

Ben Unruh shaved nine strokes off his score from Day 1 (84-75) and tied for sixth place with Jake Francis who carded an 81 on Sunday and improved with a 78 on Monday.

As for the rest of the SD Mines golfers, Roger Nakagawa finished in eighth place with a 160 (82-77); Carson McDaniel was a spot back in ninth with a 161 (84-77); Garret Hohn posted a 172 (89-83); and Jamison Smith rounded out the tournament in 14^th place with a 173 (85-88).

"Freshman Alex Lesselyoung posted another solid round to finish in a tie for 4th with senior team captain Steven Bendt," Roy said. "Another bright spot today was freshman Ben Unruh storming back from a tough first day to shoot a 75 today. Very proud of him fighting back so well today. Freshman Carson McDaniel also fought back with a decent round today for the 'B' team."
 
On the women's side, the Lady 'Rockers ended the meet with 681 strokes (341-340) to take first place. Dickinson State took second with 718 and Black Hills State was a distant third with 732 strokes.
"Our women's program posted their first win in recent memory. I so proud of all their efforts," Roy said.
 
SD Mines Emily Schimbeno led from start to finish over the two rounds carding the top individual score with a 160 (78-82). Riley Helmick of DSU was second with a 164 and Hardrocker Nicole Schrader secured third place with a 166 (82-84).

"We were led by our two team captains, Emily Schimbeno and Nicole Schrader. Emily fought through a tough second day to win the tournament. With all she has been through over the past year, coming back from injury, I am so proud of her sticking it out and getting the victory," Roy said. "Nicole played steady both days and finished in third place for the team.  She was really trying to make up some ground on Emily and I am proud of her effort.
 
As for the rest of the Hardrocker women, McKinley Harm tied for fourth place after posting a 174 (91-83); Abby Magee carded a 181 (90-91) for seventh place and Larissa Pawlowski took 13^th with 191 (98-93).

"Another bright spot was senior McKinley Harm came storming back today to post her best round in a number of years. She shot up the leader board today to finish in a tie for 4th place. It was a great job by the ladies," Roy said.