Winona, Minn. -- The Winona State University men's golf team was picked to win the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) this spring, as announced by the league on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Head coach Jeff Straight and his team earned 73 points in the NSIC Men's Golf Preseason poll, with Concordia-St. Paul selected for second with 62. WSU received five first place votes.
Led by senior Matthew Chandler, Winona State will look to test their squad against topflight competition in the spring in preparations for postseason. Chandler, the Warrior captain, and his teammates have spent the offseason improving their games and have set the bar high for the 2021 squad.
About Chandler, Coach Straight noted, "Matthew Chandler was one of the top players in the NSIC last season. He is a true leader on our team both on and off the golf course. As a captain he mentors incoming as well as current players and sets a great example for everyone to follow. Matthew comes from a family of golfers as his older sister and younger brother both play NCAA Division I golf. He had had a very successful off season making several improvements in his game and is ready to get back to playing this spring season."
Winona State will open the season hosting their own Warrior Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev., to be held on March 8-9. Their season will continue with four more regular season competitions across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, before teeing up in the NSIC Men's Golf Championships, scheduled for April 16-18.
"We are excited to return four of the six players that started for us in the top five last season. Matthew Chandler from Canada, Dylan Brown from Wisconsin, Matt Turner from Winona and Abraham Elmore from Arizona are familiar faces in the Warrior line up. They all had very good 2019-2020 seasons with tournament wins and some very low scores to contribute to the Warriors 24-0 record against the NSIC. The Warriors also added two impressive freshmen to their roster this season, Marcus Iwerbo from Sweden and Bennett Thomas from Minnesota. After a one-year layoff we can't wait to get our spring season started", said Coach Straight.
The NCAA Division II Men's Golf Regional is set for May 6-8 in Kansas City, Mo.
NSIC Men's Golf Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Winona State (5) 73
2. Concordia-St. Paul (1) 62
3. Sioux Falls (1) 60
4. Bemidji State (2) 58
5. Minnesota State (1) 51
6. Upper Iowa 43
7. Minot State 35
8. Augustana 31
9. Minnesota Crookston 22
10. University of Mary 15
The most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, is available at: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
Media Contact: Pete Watkins, Director of Athletic Communications | Ph: 507.457.5577 | Email: pwatkins@winona.edu
