Sophomore Nick Huggins of NIU men’s golf finished tied for fifth-place Tuesday at the Earl Yestingsmeier Individual Invitational. Huggins posted the best finish for the Huskies at the Invitational.

Second round play was concluded early Tuesday morning and at the end of 36 holes, a pair of Huskies were in the top-10. Huggins was tied for third with a one-over-par, 141, after shooting a 74 in the second round.

Senior Matt Gorman was tied for seventh, carding a 36-hole total of 143, including a second round score of 68.

Senior Greg Pohlmann was tied for 14th after two rounds at 147, while at the end of round two, freshman Connor Nelson had a total of 158, which was good enough for 38th.

Assistant coach Andrew Frame said two of his players came out strong to finish their remaining holes in the second round.

“We came out this morning with a couple of holes to play,” Frame said. “Nick Huggins came out and birdied two of the last three, which really set the tone for his final round. He played a great last round and shot a 72. The other guys kind of struggled coming out in the morning finishing off their round. Greg Pohlmann came out and pars the last holes and shot 71, which I believe is his best round of the year.”

In the third round of play, Huggins carded a 72 to finish with a 54-hole total of 213 (+3), just five strokes behind top individual scorer Kyle Perry of Indiana. Huggins’ fifth-place finish is the best of his college career. His previous best was a tie for 32nd at the St. Mary’s Invitational.

Frame said this career-best finish for the sophomore is showing the potential Huggins has.

“It’s going to help out Nick [Huggins] a lot,” Frame said. “I don’t want to say that he has struggled all year, but he certainly hasn’t played up to his expectations. This tournament might be his coming out party so to speak. He is gaining a lot of confidence with this experience with this tournament.”

Huggins said he enjoys being in contention since it’s been awhile.

“This gets my confidence back,” Huggins said. “I have been going through a fluffer in the past year and half. I’m really excited … I love having a chance to win a tournament. That’s how it was when I was younger. Now it’s just fueling the fire. I’m excited to play in the next tournament.”