Phoenix, Ariz. - The Comets Golf team traveled to Phoenix, AZ to take part in the Frontier Conference Championships. Both teams improved their positions from the fall conference events, with the Men placing third overall and the Women finishing in sixth place.

Day 1 consisted of 36 holes in the Arizona heat. The Men finished round 1 in a tie for fourth place with Montana Tech with a score of 317.

Round 2 the team was as hot as the weather, carding a sizzling 305 team score that was only 2 shots behind Bellevue and slipping by Dickinson State for third place.

Satchel Tickel fired rounds of 72-76 to place in the top 5, with Masen Nowacki's 152 earning him a top 10 spot. Erik Bjorndahl's round 2 74 contributed heavily to the team's improvement.

On the women's side, Annika Reierson and Gracie Kaczynski led the way for the Comets with a two round total of 197 and 212. This gave the Comets Women sixth place after day 1 with a nine shot cushion over Providence.

Coach Murphy said, "Desert golf has some very unique challenges as your ball can keep rolling into some unintended locations. Keeping the ball on 'the green stuff' is vitally important in shooting a good score."

Day 2/Round 3 was a battle for both teams to keep their current standings, as Dickinson State and Montana Tech continued to challenge the Men for third, while Providence was staring down the Comets Women for sixth.

The men held off both teams behind a fantastic back nine 33 from Tickel (including 4 birdies) and Damian Pokrzywinski shooting a 75 in his final college round.

The Comets Women used solid scores from all four team members to add 10 shots to their lead over Providence. Reierson shot a back nine 43 enroute to a 94 to lead the Comets.

Coach Murphy said, "It's always easier to come from behind versus holding one's position, as the comeback teams have much less pressure on them to perform. Both teams faced stiff challenges from below, and our entire team responded very well!"

Tickel finished in a tie for fourth at the tournament and combined with his regular season scoring average earned First Team All-Conference honors.

Pokrzywinski and Isabel Helde were our Champions of Character honorees.