Freeport, Ill. - The heat may slowly but surely be leaving the area, for however long it may, but the ICC men's golf team was just heating up on Friday. Coach Sean Kennedy and the Cougars had made their way up to Freeport's Park Hills Golf Club. ICC had a very quality day, with individuals and the team has a whole holding a consistent position on both respective leader boards.

Leading the way was Hunter Ficken, the freshman from O'Fallon High School. Ficken slowly crept up the board as the 36 holes progressed, eventually moving into a tie for first, which became sole possession of the lead, the latter of which he never gave up.

Team-wise, the Cougars and Madison CC (the eventual team champions) effectively had the 1-2 positions locked down for all 36 holes. ICC would eventually take second place with a team score of +27. 

Ficken's round was remarkable. He was the only player in either round to break 70 among the 106 total participants. That round was in his first 18 holes, when he shot and impressive seven birdies, with his full-day tally ending at 11 such results. 

Ficken wasn't the only one breaking par. Quinn Cox, who finished tied for fifth place, birdied on seven of his 36 holes, and carded a +6 for the tournament. 

Not to be outdone, Luke Markley eagled his third hole of the day, while also birdieing three others. Peyton Woods birdied seven holes. Brady Gruden birdied three. Brock Taylor birdied one. Colin Roche birdied five. Jarod Oderwald birdied two. That adds up to a grand total of 39 birdies and one eagle for the team. 

There's not exactly too much rest to be had, as the Cougars have the weekend off from tournament play, and then it's back to work in Bloomington-Normal on Monday.

FULL INDIVIDUAL SCORES:
1st Place | Hunter Ficken | -2 / 142
T-5th Place | Quinn Cox | +6 / 150
T-11th Place | Luke Markley | +9 / 153
T-15th Place | Peyton Woods | +10 / 154
T-15th Place | Brady Gruden | +10 / 154
T-19th Place | Brock Taylor | +12 / 156
T-22nd Place | Collin Roche | +13 / 157
T-74th Place | Jarod Oderwald | +29 / 173

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Heartland Hawk 36
@ Weibring Golf Club - Normal, Illinois
Monday, August 28th - 8:00 AM
*Live Scoring Link TBA