USF senior Jordan Mueller maintained the individual lead at the NSIC Men's Fall Championship on Tuesday with a 10-over 82 effort and the Cougars combined for a 29-over 317 during the second round to maintain their second-place standing in the event.

“We had a tremendous effort today,” said associate head coach Brett Coluccio. “The conditions were worse than Monday, and we actually saw our first snowflakes of the season early in the round.”

“The guys stayed patient and turned a terrific round,” he added.

 

The first two rounds of the four-round event were contested at the par-72, 6,780-yard Classic at Madden's in Brainerd, Minn. The final two rounds will be played at the end of the spring season in April 2013.

 

Mueller posted rounds of 71-82=153 (+9) to own a two-shot lead over Tyler Koivisto of St. Cloud State and Kowan O'Keefe of Minot State.

“Jordan struggled a little at the end but he still played much better than his score indicated,” Coluccio said. “He's a big tournament player and he rose to meet the challenge of this week.” 

St. Cloud State went into the clubhouse as the overall leader, as the Huskies carded a team score of 317 (+29) to go with their first round of 307 (624, +48). USF is alone in second with a two-day score of (315-317=632). SCSU and USF will have a chance to battle for the tournament title next April, as just eight strokes separate the two schools.

 

Augustana College is eight shots back of USF and sits in third place at 640 (+64). Minnesota State, Mankato and Minot State are tied for fourth (651, +75).  

 

Trailing Mueller is senior teammate Levi Smith, who is two strokes back and tied for 8th with Matt Spier of Concordia St. Paul. Smith shot a six-over 78 today for a two-day score of 157 (79-78, +13). 

 

Freshman Jon Van't Hul posted the lowest round by a USF player today with a five-over 77, eight strokes better than his first round score of 85. He gives the Cougars three golfers ranked in the top-20, as he sits in a tie for 20th at 162 (+18) with Minot State's Blair Anderson and Upper Iowa's Landon Vinger.

 

Freshman Nick Gottsleben carded an 85 (+13), while classmate Andrew Nelson registered an eight-over 80 and both players are tied for 31st place with Chase Hahne of St. Cloud State at 165 (+21).

“If you had told me we would be in second, eight shots back before we left, I would have taken it and ran,” Coluccio said. “It's a testament to the hard work put in by everyone on this team.”

“The scores were high across the board and we could have easily given in, but these guys are fighters and I'm proud of them,” he added.  

The 2012-13 NSIC Men's Golf Championship will consist of 72 holes, in which 36 will be played on Monday-Tuesday, October 8-9 at Madden's Resort on Gull Lake. The final 36 holes will be played April 13-14 at the the Jewel Golf Club in Lake City, Minn.

“We've got seven months to see how this plays out,” Coluccio said. “However, we are making strides to be ready when it does.”