by LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Behind a big second round from newcomer Coleman Caldwell (Choctaw Tribe), the University of Sioux Falls men’s golf team finished second at the Minot State/Minnesota Crookston Invite on Tuesday. The Cougars entered the day with a two-stroke lead in second and would hold their spot to tie for second, settling a tie with Minot State by the score of each team’s fifth golfer.
Sioux Falls turned in a four-over-par 316 as a team on Tuesday, and would finish tied with Minot State at 628 (310-318), but Jon Van’t Hul’s score would break the tie in favor of the Cougars. Minnesota State took home the team title with an 11-under 589 (297-292).
Caldwell shot a 10-under par 68 on day two, moving him up 11 spots from yesterday to finish third place. The Southeastern Oklahoma State transfer finished with a total score of 147 (79-68), placing him three-under for the tournament. He finished seven strokes back from Minnesota State’s Ross Miller and Kelton Schmitz, who tied for first at 10-under 140.
Derek Dillon held onto his top-10 place after day one, carding a two-under 76 on day two to finish at a four-over 154 (78-76), good enough for ninth place overall. The next four USF golfers finished between 14th and 17th , securing the runner-up finish for the team.
Talon Eich carded an 82 (+4) on day two to finish 14th at nine-over 159. Andrew Nelson and Van’t Hul both finished with 11-over 161s, placing them in a tie for 15th. Nelson shot 76 on day one and followed it with an 85 on day two while Van’t Hul went 79-82 to ensure USF’s team finish in second.
Ben Loosbrock bounced back after a tough first day to shoot a 78 in his second round, placing him at 162 (84-78) overall and in 17th place. Brett Korn improved one stroke from Monday to Tuesday, finishing at 15-over 165 (83-82) and in 19th place.
Rounding out the Cougars time in Las Vegas, Josh Atkins carded a 19-over 169 (82-87) to finish 22nd.
The Cougars return to action on March 28-29 at the Quarry Oaks Collegiate in Ashland, Neb.
