CABOT, ARK. – Led by the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year JJ Cooney and junior Jack Evans, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Team made a substantial improvement from day one to the final round and finished eighth at 623 (321-302) at the Natural State Golf Classic which concluded Tuesday (March 2) at the Greystone Country Club.

The Cougars jumped from 13^th after day one to eighth overall and opened the season with a top-10 finish in a competitive field of 19 teams. USF, which improved its round score by 19 strokes (321-to-302), had 23 birdies across two days which was tied for the second best total. They also had 89 par holes.

"It was a blessing to be able to get back on the course and play tournament golf," said USF Assistant Coach Brennan Thompson. "Even though we started slowly, the men did a phenomenal job of bouncing back on day two to finished with a respective first tournament of 2021. I'm proud of the team's perseverance and how they came together so quickly as a team. I am excited to see where this year will go as we build for the conference tournament," he said.

Arkansas Tech captured the title by shooting 576 (288-288) and had two of the top three individuals (Henry Frizzell, second, 141 and Austin Gean, third, 142). Missouri State was second at 592 (299-293) with Henderson State, which finished at 594 (299-295) and had the medalist in Josh McNulty (140 – 73-67). 

Cooney made a big jump individually as he moved from 38th to 21^st by carding a second-day round of 73 to finish at 152 (79-73). In making a six-shot improvement, Cooney carded a two-under 34 on the front nine today with birdies on 11, 13 and 14 plus four pars. On the back nine, he had a three-over 39 with three pars and birdies on holes, 2, 5 and 7. In total in the two rounds, he finished eight-over par and totaled 17 pars and eight birdies.

Evans finished tied for 28 with a two-round total of 154 (78-76) as he played consistent golf throughout. On Tuesday, he had four birdies (holes 7, 9, 17 and 18) with eight pars as he had a 76 (39-37). In total he finished with five birdies and 20 pars.

Senior Brendan Bassing finished tied for 40^th with a 158 (78-80). Today, he had an 80 (37-43) with 10 pars and a birdie on hole seven. Bassing finished with three birdies in the two days and 18 pars.   

Sophomore Gavin Metz had the biggest improvement from day one to day two as he lowered his score by 12 strokes. On Tuesday, he shot a 74 (35-39) with birdies on holes five and 12 and 12 pars. On the front nine, he had a one-under par 35 and followed up with a three-over par 39. He totaled 16 pars and four total birdies as he finished tied for 51st at 160 (86-74). 

Senior Jacob Zosel finished in a tie for 67^th with a 165 (86-79). Like several members of the team, Zosel made a big jump on day two. He improved his score by seven strokes. He opened with a 39 and then had a 40 for a 79 today with eight pars and birdies on holes five and nine. He totaled 15 pars and three birdies in the two-day tourney. 

Playing as an individual, junior Nathan Woodall finished at 183 (91-92). He finished 95^th after a second-day total of 92 (44-48) with five pars and a two birdies. He totaled nine pars in the competition.

USF will be back on the course at the "Battle for the Belt" in Hot Springs, Ark., on March 8-9.