SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota senior Catie Nekola and North Dakota State senior Rylin Petry grabbed the second Kwik Star #SummitGF Peak Golfer of the Week awards of the fall, League officials announced Thursday. For Nekola, the weekly award is the first of her career, while Petry earned the third of his career.
Nekola powered USD to a second-place finish and earned runner-up honors at the Redbird Invitational. After an opening round of 74 (+2), the Yotes' veteran shot back-to-back 71's (-1) to finish the tournament at even par (216). The St. Charles, Ill., native rolled in a pair of birdies in each of the first two rounds and knocked in three more during the final round. The runner-up nod marks Nekola’s second top-3 finish of the season.
Petry directed the Bison to a share of the team title at the Metropolis Intercollegiate in what was the debut tournament for first-year head coach Ekren Miller. Petry secured the gold medal amongst the 84-man field to collect his first career collegiate win.
The 2025 All-Summit First Team recipient delivered an opening round 69 (-1) before shooting an even par 70 in the second lap. A closing 72 (+2) was good enough for Petry to claim medalist honors by one stroke over Columbia’s Alejandro Formosa with a 54-hole total of 211 (+1). The Fertile, Minn., native carded nine birdies and 35 pars during his three rounds.
FEMALE PEAK GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Catie Nekola, South Dakota
Sr. | St. Charles, Ill.
- Collected second-place honors in the Redbird Invitational, reeling in a cumulative 54-hole total of 216 to finish even par.
- Fired a 71 (-1) in rounds two and three with two birdies in the second lap and three birdies in the third.
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Nekola.
Also nominated: Katie Ruge (Omaha), McKenzie Mages (South Dakota State).
MALE PEAK GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Rylin Petry, North Dakota State
Sr. | Fertile, Minn.
- Picked up his first career collegiate win, tallying rounds of 69-70-72 to post a 211 and secure the victory at the Metropolis Intercollegiate.
- Notched nine birdies overall in the tournament.
- This is the third career Summit League weekly honor for Petry.
Also nominated: Mason Haley (Kansas City), Bryson Mercier (South Dakota State).
2025-26 Peak Golfer of the Week
Sept. 4
Female: Lily Vincelli, North Dakota State
Male: Tyler Seeling, South Dakota State
Sept. 11
Female: Catie Nekola, South Dakota
Male: Rylin Petry, North Dakota State
#SummitGF
