MORRIS, MN (VCSUVikings.com)- Valley City State senior Casey Julson shot a 2-under round of 69 on Thursday as he won the Cougar Invitational hosted by Minnesota-Morris at Pomme de Terre Golf Course.

Julson’s round was three shots better than second place, earning him the first win of his VCSU collegiate career. His victory was one of five Top 5 finishes at the tournament by VCSU golfers. Julson, Jared Lentz, Cameron Rall and Taylor Finlayson all finished in the Top 5 of the men’s tournament, while Jocelyn Braunberger placed second in the women’s tournament.

With four of the top five men’s golfers, Valley City State easily ran away with the team title. The Vikings finished with an 8-over total of 292, beating M-State Fergus Falls by 17 shots for first place. Thursday’s tournament was the second team win and third individual win for the Viking men this season.

Behind Julson’s first-place finish, Lentz took second with a 1-over round of 72. Rall placed fourth with a 75, and Taylor Finlayson tied for fifth with a 76. Tanner Schnathorst shot a 79 to place ninth and round out VCSU’s top five golfers. VCSU’s Collin Hoss (14th/84) and Levi Nix(15th/85) golfed as individuals at the tournament. Teams competing Thursday included VCSU, Minnesota-Morris and two teams from M-State Fergus Falls.

On the women’s side, freshman Jocelyn Braunberger had the best finish of her young career by taking second at the 18-hole tournament. Braunberger’s round of 97 was just one shot off the champion from Minnesota-Morris. Megan McNamee (107) took seventh and Taren Braunberger (108) placed eighth at the meet. On the women’s side it was VCSU and Minnesota-Morris competing at the meet.

Up next: Valley City State is scheduled to compete at the SD School of Mines Invite on Oct. 1-2 in Rapid City, S.D.