MONROE -- Behind strong performances from Nicolas Normand and Erik Rengardt, the No. 15 USCB men's golf team heads into the final round of the Ralph Hargett Memorial Intercollegiate in second place at 10-under par. The Sand Sharks trail fifth-ranked Grand Valley State by just four strokes after 36 holes at Rolling Hills Country Club.
Normand came out firing in the opening round, carding a 4-under 68. The Lasne, Belgium, native went 1-under on the front nine with birdies on holes 2 and 8 before turning up the heat on the back nine with four more birdies. Rengardt also impressed in the first round, shooting 2-under with four birdies of his own.
The duo continued their stellar play in the second round, with Rengardt's 4-under 68 propelling him to a share of the individual lead at 6-under. Normand remained in the hunt, finishing at 1-under to position himself in the top three at 5-under heading into the final 18 holes.
Aaron Williams provided steady play for USCB, carding consecutive rounds of even-par 72 to finish the day at even overall. Ellis Bright and Nikolai Holme also posted solid starts with first-round even-par performances. Bright wrapped up the second round at 1-over, while Holme finished at 3-over.
The Sand Sharks will look to make a final push for the team title in Tuesday's decisive round.