Washington State closed out the Badger Invitational on Tuesday in Madison, navigating wet, windy conditions and finishing ninth in the 16-team field at 893 (+29).
Sophomore Kaitlyn Helm continued to pace the Cougars, posting a 73 (+1) in the final round and tying for 12th overall at 218 (+2). Her three rounds of 72, 73 and 73 gave WSU its lowest 54-hole score of the tournament. On Tuesday, she found three birdies on the back nine, going birdie on the par-4 14th, par-5 16th and par-3 17th holes.
The Cougars were back on a soggy University Ridge Golf Course after finishing the second round and the front nine of the final round Monday night because of the overnight weather. When play resumed Tuesday, Washington State put together the best team score of the day, carding a 2-under over the final nine holes.
Freshman Madalyn Gubernick shot 74 (+2) in the final round and finished at 225 (+9). She birdied the par-4 13th and played the back nine at one-under to wrap up her first Badger Invitational.
Sydney Bisgrove added a 75 (+3) to end the tournament at 222 (+6). She picked up three birdies in the round, on the seventh, 13th and 16th holes.
Senior Sara Pineros posted a 76 (+4) and finished at 228 (+12). After turning at three-over, she answered with birdies on the 12th and 16th holes.
Grace Rubelsky completed the Washington State lineup with a 77 (+5), ending the event at 236 (+20).
In Other News...
WSU Is Expanding Martin Stadium Options With A Catch For Fans
Washington State is adding more variety at Martin Stadium this fall, expanding its home football alcohol menu to 11 different beer and seltzer options starting with the game against Duquesne. The move is part of a broader push around the fan experience, with new dining options also announced for the stadium as the Cougars continue to tinker with what game day looks like on the Palouse.
There is a catch for fans, though, as the alcohol pilot program is set to continue into 2026 with more alcohol-free sections and tighter enforcement aimed at monitoring sales and preventing policy violations. The school is also planning stricter consequences for breaches, a sign that the increased options will come with closer oversight as Washington State tries to balance access, safety, and the atmosphere inside Martin Stadium. [Read more 🡒]
WSU Found A Bigger Role For Leo Pulalasi At The Right Time
With injuries thinning Washington States tight end room, Leo Pulalasi has quietly become one of the more useful pieces in the offenses reshaped puzzle. The junior running backs job has expanded this season, and his move to H-back during the offseason gave the Cougars another way to keep key personnel on the field without sacrificing flexibility.
Kirby Moore said the role change was part of the plan well before the opener, and Pulalasi has already shown why it matters. He supplied a lead block on a touchdown in the season opener, while also getting a few touches as a runner and receiver, a modest usage profile that still hints at how much the staff trusts him in multiple spots. [Read more 🡒]
WSU Is Bringing A New Look To Its Martin Stadium Opener
Washington State is giving Martin Stadium a fresh first impression for its 2026 home opener against Duquesne, unveiling a new uniform combination built around white helmets with the crimson Cougar logo, paired with crimson jerseys and crimson pants. The look was revealed with fifth-year defensive tackle Paul Hutson III serving as the model, giving the rollout a veteran face from a player who arrived from Marshall and has already carved out a role in the rotation.
Hutson has logged 60 snaps this season, and his presence helps underscore why these small details matter in Pullman. Openers carry a little extra weight anyway, and a new home look can become part of the atmosphere as Washington State settles into the season in front of its own crowd, even before the football itself starts to sort out what kind of team this will be. [Read more 🡒]