LINK TO NSIC PRESEASON POLL
MINOT, N.D. – Preparing to tee off a new season that stretches from September through the NSIC Championship in April, the NSIC announced its preseason poll and players to watch today.
Minot State's men's golf team, under the leadership of first-year head coach Gary "Dakota" Brekhus, was picked to finish eighth at the NSIC Championship to be held in Smithville, Missouri, April 17-19.
"What I'm excited most about this year's team is that we have some incredibly talented incoming freshmen – including
Kasen Rostad who finished 3rd in his senior year high school state tournament – who are excited to showcase their abilities," Brekhus said. "We also have a couple of seniors who are ready to turn it up this year after a couple of very close finishes last year.
"That, along with this being my first year as a head coach, and the familiar face of
Chase Gedak as our graduate assistant coach, and I think this year has the makings to shine new light on Minot State Beaver golf."
While the Beavers were voted to finish eighth, with 27 points, by the coaches, Minot State senior
Zach Hendrickson was highlighted as the team's Player to Watch in the preseason poll.
Hendrickson, a local product from Our Redeemer's Christian School entering his fourth season with the Beavers, tied for 42
nd in the NSIC Championship this past spring and twice carded career-low rounds of 70 this past season, at The Watkins Fall Invitational and the Augustana Spring Invitational.
"Zach is a senior competing against some really great up-and-coming freshmen and sophomores trying to prove themselves," Brekhus said. "He has had three successful years with multiple top-25 finishes, including a tie for 3rd in Sioux Falls as part of our tournament 2
nd-place team.
"He has been hard at work, hoping to push through for a tournament win," Minot State's coach added. "Zach has incredible talent, drive, and focus on the course that I believe will be a major force this season."
While Hendrickson was highlighted as the Beavers' Player to Watch, Winona State senior Peyton Coahran was voted the 2025-26 Preseason Player of the Year by the league's coaches. Coahran is a two-time All-NSIC First Team player.
He leads the way for a Winona State team picked to win a closely contested NSIC title race as the Warriors earned 71 points and 4 first-place votes to slightly edge out second-place pick Concordia, St. Paul, which collected 69 points and 4 first-place votes, as well.
Minnesota State, Mankato was picked third with 61 points and 1 first-place vote, Bemidji State was picked fourth with 58 points and 1 first-place vote, Augustana was picked fifth with 48 points, Minnesota Crookston was picked sixth with 45 points, Sioux Falls was picked seventh with 40 points, Minot State was picked eighth with 27 points, Mary was picked ninth with 18 points, and Jamestown was picked 10
th with 13 points.
The Beavers open the season on Monday and Tuesday, September 8-9, at the Don Niskanen Classic hosted by Bemidji State. Minot State plays five events in the fall, then after the winter break, returns for two more months of action in the spring, concluding with the NSIC Championship in Smithville, Missouri, April 17-19.
NSIC 2025-26 Preseason Men's Golf Coaches' Poll
| RANK |
TEAM (1st-place votes) |
POINTS |
| 1 |
Winona State (4) |
71 |
| 2 |
Concordia, St. Paul (4) |
69 |
| 3 |
Minnesota State, Mankato (1) |
61 |
| 4 |
Bemidji State (1) |
58 |
| 5 |
Augustana |
48 |
| 6 |
Minnesota Crookston |
45 |
| 7 |
Sioux Falls |
40 |
| 8 |
Minot State |
27 |
| 9 |
Mary |
18 |
| 10 |
Jamestown |
13 |
