The SLIAC men's golf coaches have chosen MUW as the preseason favorites for the 2025 season. The Owls won the conference championship last spring, their first year in the conference, and return four All-Conference performers. Matt Wilkinson and Zach Riley were named First Team All-SLIAC and are joined in the lineup by Second Team performers Luke Yocum and Cameron James. The Owls carry a 291.9 team stroke average into the spring from their fall season and boast six golfers under a 75 average.
Webster University was picked 2nd on the poll and will lean on its nucleus of experienced players in Justin McCoy, Josh Hayes, and Trent Garrett. McCoy, a three-time All-Conference golfer, has a team low 73.1 average this season. Hayes and Garrett are both averaging under 82 strokes per round. while Jacob LeBlanc, Nico Marin, and Oscar Petitjean are all under a 79 average. Newcomers to watch are Thanaphat Amornjaturaporn, Connor Luvin, and Cole Makgill.
With four golfers returning from last year's SLIAC Championships, Lake Forest College was picked 3rd on the poll. Last year's Newcomer of the Year, Tyler Schick, holds a 74.7 average after the fall season. Ben Shamberg earned All-Conference honors last season and has a 76.8 average while sophomore Tyler Wengronowitz holds a team low 74.1 average through the fall season. Seniors Luke Duffer and Chris Petri round out the lineup.
Knox College is expected to make a big jump this year and placed 4th on the poll after finishing 9th at the SLIAC Championships last spring. No team information provided.
Grinnell College was picked 5th. Thornton Walker and Eshaan Sethi will lead the way for the Pioneers. Walker holds a 76.2 average through the fall season and won two events. A new face to watch is freshman Roger Smith, who leads the team with a 75.0 average and carded a team best round of 68 this fall.
Spalding University placed 6th and bring back four players from last year. They bring back Brady Westwood who carries a 76.9 average while Kyle Dulle and Ryan Graves are both under a 79 average. Among the six freshmen joining the program is Ashton Bass, who holds a team low 76.4 average through the fall.
Finishing in 7th place is Lyon College. The Scots are coming off a strong fall which saw them win the USCAA National Championship. A trio of freshman lead the way for the Scots: Blake Turner, Brooks Vangilder, and Mikey Winne. Sophomore Manav Perfecto strengthens the lineup which carries a 301.4 team average from the fall.
Illinois College was chosen 8th and is headlined by two-time All-Conference performer Jarrett James. He put together a 72.5 average this fall and already holds the lowest round in program history. Cole Bartels holds a 78.8 average while Tobin Nell holds a 76.7 average. The Blue Boys have a deep roster with 15 different golfers playing a round this fall.
Monmouth College comes in 9th on the poll and return four of their top five players. Seniors Briggs Bossert and Ganon Greenman will pace the team. Bossert holds a 77.3 average while Greenman has a team best 74.8 average. Thomas Henson and Cole Reavis fill out the lineup from the fall.
Fontbonne University was picked 10th. No team information provided.
Placing 11th is Westminster College. The Blue Jays bring back three key players while adding six new players. Returner Nik Olsson, who shot a school record round at last year's championship, holds an 82.0 average after the fall. Davis Herbst and Lane Martin are also back while newcomer Aidan Fonke had a team low average of 77.3 this fall.
Blackburn College was picked 12th by the coaches. The Beavers bring back experienced golfers in Bryce Wrightsman, Justin Atkinson, and Jacob Sauvage. Wrightsman put up a team best 76.8 average this fall and was the team's top finisher four times. Kevin Hall, Nick Rosborough, and Jordan Williams round out the lineup.
Eureka College concludes the poll in the 13th spot. The Red Devils will have some consistency once again this year with Tyler Platz and Brady Rieger competing for their fourth straight year while Jalen Johnson is back after his debut last season. Platz turned in a strong fall, shooting 85.0 over three events.