SPEARFISH, S.D. — The Dickinson State men's and women's golf teams battled a demanding course this week at the Homestake Invitational, hosted by South Dakota Mines at Spearfish Canyon Country Club.

On the men's side, the Blue Hawks placed fifth in the team standings at +73. Sophomore Torrin Ellis (Polson, Mont.) paced Dickinson State, tying for eighth overall with a two-round total of +12 (76-76). He was followed by freshman Eric DeBoer (Fargo, N.D.) and junior Tyus Thomas (Glen Ullin, N.D.), who tied for 22nd at +18. Freshman Sam Lewton (Dickinson, N.D.) finished 31st at +25, while sophomore Jayce Johnson (Mandan, N.D.) rounded out the lineup in 33rd at +34.

The Blue Hawks' "B" squad placed sixth at +131, led by sophomore Tyler Gjellstad (Stanley, N.D.) at +20. Freshman Jermaine Broussard (Worland, Wyo.), freshman Emersyn Lee (Dickinson, N.D.), sophomore Kaden Bishop (Malta, Mont.), and others gained valuable tournament experience. Montana State-Billings captured the men's team title at +29.

On the women's side, Dickinson State finished seventh overall with a +128 team score. Junior Brooklyn Materi (Upton, Wyo.) led the Blue Hawks with a sixth-place finish, carding rounds of 78-81 for a +15 total. Senior Ellia Soydara (Fergus Falls, Minn.) followed at +28, freshman Camille Poncin (Livingston, Mont.) posted +29, and freshmen Jori Haugen (Billings, Mont.) and Emma Isaacs (Biddle, Mont.) finished at +58 and +61, respectively. Nebraska Kearney claimed the women's team championship at +59.

Head coach Thadd O'Donnell credited his teams for maintaining perspective despite the results.

"We have played outstanding all season until this week. It was a challenging course and we haven't seen this style of course all year. I was happy about their attitudes and their take away. It only hurts us if they don't have a honest reflection on their play and a detailed plan to work on the things that are in their control," O'Donnell said.