SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Oral Roberts sophomore Avery Blake and North Dakota State freshman Jake Skarperud collected the latest TicketSmarter #SummitGF Female and Male Peak Golfer of the Week accolades, respectively, League officials announced Monday. For both golfers, it marks the first weekly awards of their respective careers.
Blake opened her spring season by breaking 70 for the first time as a collegian en route to tying for sixth at the GCU Invitational. Blake carded a 68 (-4) in the first round, shot an even-par 72 in the second round before shooting another 68 (-4) to close things out. She finished with a career-best, 54-hole total of 208 (-8).
The Woodlands, Texas native helped the Golden Eagles post a 862 (-2) team total as ORU finished eighth in the 21-team field. It was her second top-10 individual finish of the season for the TCU transfer.
Skarperud captured medalist honors at the Loyola Intercollegiate in record-breaking fashion as the led the Bison to a 15-stroke victory over the 20-team field. The sophomore shot a career-best 65 (-7) to open the tournament, then fired a 71(-1) before closing things out with a 66 (-6).
His set the NDSU 54-hole scoring record with a 202 (-14) and helped the Bison a 54-hole scoring record of 824 (-40), bettering the previous record by 16 strokes. Skarperud had posted one career round in the 60’s prior to the tournament.
FEMALE GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Avery Blake, Oral Roberts
So. | The Woodlands, Texas
- This is the first weekly honor of the Blake’s career
- Registered second top-10 finish of the season with a tie for sixth at the GCU Invitational
- Posted career best finish and career best scoring for 18 holes (68) and 54 holes (208)
- Carded first two career rounds in the 60’s
Also nominated: Catie Nekola (South Dakota); Elise Hoven (North Dakota State).
MALE GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Jake Skarperud, North Dakota State
So. | Fargo, N.D.
- This is the first weekly honor of Skarperud’s career
- Captured medalist honors at the Loyola Intercollegiate to post first career top-10 finish
- Set a program 54-hole scoring record with a 202 (-14) total, shooting a 65 (-7) in the opening round and closing with a 66 (-6) in round three
- Helped the Bison set a 54-hole team scoring record with a 824 (-40) total as NDSU won the team title by 15 strokes
Also nominated: Bryson Mercier (South Dakota State); Maxence Mugnier (Kansas City).
2023-24 Peak Golfer Awards
Peak Golfer of the Week
Feb. 9
Female: Anna Zanusso, Denver
Male: Kevin An, Oral Roberts
Feb. 19
Female: Kathryn VanArragon, St. Thomas
Male: Presten Richardson, Oral Roberts
Feb. 26
Female: Nicole Hansen, Omaha
Male: Max Schmidtke, South Dakota
Mar. 4
Female: Avery Blake, Oral Roberts
Male: Jake Skarperud, North Dakota State
Peak Golfers of the Month
September
Female: Cristina Riu, Oral Roberts
Male: Nate Adams, North Dakota State
October
Female: Kathryn VanArragon, St. Thomas
Male: Luke Honner, South Dakota State
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