BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The Winona State men's golf team was selected first in the 2026 NSIC Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll. Javier Ramos Casariego was named Preseason Men's Golfer of the year.

WSU gathered 97 points in the 2025 NSIC Men's Golf Preseason Coaches' Poll, locking them directly in front of Concordia-St. Paul (91) and Sioux Falls (80).

Winona State earned five first place finishes in the 2025-26 season, including a seventh-place finish at the NCAA DII Super Regional. Entering his first season as the Warriors head coach, Matias Maquieira noted, "I am so excited to have my first coaching year with all these great people. Winona State golf is a very united team with so much chemistry, and I can't wait to give my all to witness how these players get better every day."

Casariego, a junior from A Coruna, Spain, finished t-8th in the NSIC Championships last season and had a stroke average of 72.8 to earn ALL-NSIC First Team honors.

Coach Maquieira on Casariego, "I am excited to have Javi as part of our team. Him staying with us is great for the program and I know he has so much potential. I am certain he will be a big part of our success this year, and I am excited to see if he is able to lead his team to great things."

Winona State returns to the links on Monday, September 14th as WSU travels to the NCAA Regional Preview for a two round event at the Meadows Golf Club in Grand Rapid, Michigan.