KANSAS CITY, MO. – Led by Gavin Metz, who carded a three-under par 68 on day two, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team is 15th after day two of the NCAA DII Central Regional Tournament at Shoal Creek Golf Course.

The Cougars had a solid day across the board by carding a nine over par 293 in the second round of the tournament. USF had a 20-shot improvement from the opening round as they totaled 13 birdies with 53 pars during the rounds. Through two rounds, USF is at 606 (313-293) and 15^th place.

Central Missouri continued to hold the lead after two rounds. CMU stands at 554 (279-275) as they have the three top players on the leaderboard led by Thomas Henson at eight-under par 134 (70-64).    In second place is Indianapolis at four-under par 572 (283-289) while Henderson State is third at five-over par 573 (286-287) and Arkansas Tech is fourth at nine over par 577 (294-283). The top four teams plus the top individual not with a team will advance to the NCAA DII National Tournament at the PGA National Resort: The National Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  

Metz, a sophomore from Brainerd, Minn., jumped up leader 28 spots into a tied for 34^th after carding a three-under par 68 which was the sixth-best total of the day. Metz, who was named the NSIC Newcomer of the Year this week, opened with a two-under par 33 with birdies on hole 10 (388 yards, par four) and hole 16 (380-yards- par four) while adding seven pars. He closed at one-under 35 with birdies on hole one (426-yards, par four), hole five (179-yard par three) and hole six (364-yard, par four). In total he had five birdies and 11 pars on the day and now has 20 pars and six birdies in the tournament. On day one, he had a 79 (39-40) as he totaled nine pars and a birdie on hole seven.

Like Metz, Cooney, a senior from Pickstown, S.D., who was named All-NSIC for a fourth straight year earlier this week, had a solid day as he is now tied for 38^th with a two-day total of six-over par 148 (75-73). Today he shot two-over par 73 (33-40) as he started with a two-under 33 on the opening nine holes with five pars and birdies on hole 11 (201-yard, par three), hole 13 (527-yard, par five) and hole 14 (420-yard, par four). He then had five pars for a 40 on the second nine holes. On the day, he had three birdies and 10 pars. On day one, Cooney opened with a four-over par round of 75 (37-38). He had birdies on the 579-yard par five seventh hole and the 536-yard par five ninth hole. Cooney carded 12 pars during his round.  He now has 22 pars and five birdies in two rounds.

Sioux Falls senior Brenden Bassing, who was also named All-NSIC this week, finished in a tie for 68^th as he had a three-shot improvement from day one. Bassing sits at 13-over par 155 (79-76). Today, he had a 76 (36-40) as he was consistent throughout with 13 pars on the day. On day one, he had an eight-over par total of 79 (39-40). He had a birdie on hole seven and another on the 527-yard par five 13^th hole. He carded nine pars in the opening round and has 22 for the tournament.

Senior Jacob Zosel of Morris, Minn., had a four-shot improvement from day as he is now at 14 over par 156 (80-76). Like Bassing, he carded a five-over par 76 (36-40) on day two. He had three birdies, including the 579-yard par five seventh hole, the 434-yard par four 15^th hole and the 464-yard par four 18^th hole. He added nine pars on the day. On day one, he had a birdie on hole nine and eight pars in shooting an 80 (38-42). He now has four birdies and 17 pars through two rounds.

Jack Evans, a junior from Brainerd, Minn., carded a six-over par 77 (41-36) and is now at 15-over par 155 (80-77). He had 12 pars during his round of 80 (41-39). Evans had a pair of birdies today on the 426-yard par four first hole and the 536-yard par five ninth hole. He totaled 10 pars today and now has 22 for the tournament.