OWASSO, OKLA. – With seniors JJ Cooney and Jacob Zosel registering top-five finishes, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team captured the title at the Hillcat Classic, which concluded on Tuesday (March 16) at the Bailey Ranch Golf Club.

As a group, the Cougars registered a first place total of 889 (301-298-290) as they improved their round scores each day. The final round total of 290 was not only a season-best but the top round by any team at the competition. In total,  USF, which won its first tournament since capturing the Augustana Fall Invitational on Sept. 29, 2019, carded 47 birdies, two eagles, and 170 pars during their stellar and season-best performance.

USF Assistant Coach Brennan Thompson was pleased with his team consistent and confident approach and performance.

"The guys played amazing during this entire tournament," said Thompson, whose team finished with a top-five team finish for the second straight week. "We came in with a goal of winning the tournament and they came together to accomplish that goal. The final day included our best round of the season. Senior leadership was a major contributor from JJ (Cooney), Brenden (Bassing) and Jacob (Zosel). It is always a great tournament when everyone contributes and that is what happened at the Hillcat Classic. I am proud of our perseverance and it's even better when that equals a tournament victory," added Thompson.

USF, which will compete at the Washburn University Invitational on March 22-23 at the Topeka (Kan.) Country Club, improved its three-round score from a week ago by an incredible 32 strokes. The rounds of 301, 298 and 290 each was a season-best and happened in succession.

Senior JJ Cooney, who finished with 10 birdies, an eagle on hole nine (first round) and 31 par holes, had a season-best finish as he tied for third with a two-over 218 (76-72-70). Just like the team, the three-time All-NSIC senior from Pickstown, S.D., improved his round each day with his 70 his best of the young season. In that final round 70, Cooney, who was earlier named the NSIC Preseason Golfer of the Year, had four birdies and 12 pars as he opened with an even par 36 and closed with a two-under 34.

Senior Jacob Zosel had his best performance of the season with a four-over par 220 (75-75-70) and a tied for fifth in the overall individual standings. He opened the tournament with consecutive rounds of 75 and then finished with a flurry as he matched Cooney for the best round of the day and the team's second best round of the tourney (Gavin Metz, 69, Round 1).  During the third round, Zosel had six birdies and seven pars as he finished with 11 birdies in the three rounds along with an eagle on hole one in the second round and combined for 27 par holes.

USF also had a top-12 finish from sophomore Gavin Metz, who carded the best round by a USF player when he had a career-best 69 (31-38) on the opening day. Metz had a team-season-high six birdies in the 18 holes with nine pars as he led a tournament for the first time at USF. The 69 by Metz is the best 18-hole round since JJ Cooney had a 69 in the second round of the Watkins Invitational on September 7, 2019. Overall Metz finish 11-over par 227 (69-80-78) as he had a combined 10 birdies, and 26 pars during the three rounds. In the final round, he had three birdies and eight pars for his 78 (37-41).

The reigning NSIC Golfer of the Week, Brenden Bassing finished the classic with consecutive rounds of 74-75 after opening at 89. He finished tied for 23^rd as he shot 22-over par 238 (89-74-75). He carded five birdies and 32 par holes during his three rounds.
 
Junior Jack Evans finished tied for 26^th at 23-over par 239 (81-83-75). After opening with rounds of 81 and 83, Evans was solid in the third round as he had a season-best six birdies and three pars as he had a 75 (36-39). The six birdies tied Metz (1^st round) for the most by a USF player in a round at this tournament and for a round this season. He finished with three birdies and 24 pars.   

Also for USF, junior Jake Oetzmann was tied for 29^th with a 25-over par 241 (83-77-81). In the second round, Oetzmann had his season best 77 (38-39) as he had 13 pars. He finished with 27 pars and four birdies in the three rounds.