SJU Golf Program 2023-24

flavor. REMARKABLE friendly. fresh.

REMARKABLY INCREDIBLY

NAME YR. HOMETOWN/HIGHSCHOOL

Nate Appelhof Fr. Blaine, Minn. Totino-Grace

Parker Bartels Sr. Oxbow, N.D. Kindred

Nate Bauer Sr. Andover, Minn. Andover

Sam Berger Sr. Waconia, Minn. Waconia

Andrew Boemer Jr. Eagan, Minn. St. Thomas Academy

Gus Briguet So. Woodbury, Minn. East Ridge

Thomas Ellis Sr. Sartell, Minn. Sartell-St. Stephen

Tim Fultz So. Stillwater, Minn. Stillwater Area

Will Gruidl Jr. Edina, Minn. Minnehaha Academy

Ethan Kress So. Woodbury, Minn. Woodbury

Mark Longhenry Sr. Bloomington, Minn. Holy Angels

Nate Loxtercamp Sr. Richmond, Minn. Melrose Area

David Miller Fr. Maple Grove, Minn. Maple Grove

Jake Patnode Fr. Princeton, Minn. Princeton

Cole Proctor Jr. Brainerd, Minn. Brainerd

Blake Schuler Sr. Waconia, Minn. Waconia

Mason Sunder Sr. Cold Spring, Minn. St. Cloud Tech

SCHEDULE

Chris Howe begins his first season as the head golf coach at Saint John’s University in 2023, having taken over the job this past August after longtime coach Bob Alpers again announced he was stepping back to focus on his role as SJU athletic director.

Howe is a St. Cloud native and 1999 graduate of SJU who played both hockey and golf for the Johnnies. He was part of the 1996-97 SJU hockey that advanced to the NCAA Division III semifinals.

“I am so excited to be coming back to Saint John’s,” he said. “I am humbled and honored to become the golf coach. I would like to thank President (Brian) Bruess, Bob Alpers and the selection committee for granting me this opportunity.

“I have always looked up to Coach Alpers and I have so much respect for the program that he built,” Howe added. “I am going to do my very best to continue and grow the unbelievable tradition of SJU golf.”

Howe served as an assistant golf coach at Concordia-Moorhead for nine seasons (2011-20) and took over as head coach at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the Cobbers to a third-place finish at the 2021 (spring) MIAC Championships and a fourth-place finish that fall. Two Cobbers earned Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-Region distinction and 13 were All-MIAC during his tenure on staff.

He was also the school’s head hockey coach for 13 seasons from 2008 to 2021 - leading the Cobbers to berths in the MIAC playoffs for eight-straight seasons, including a second-place finish in 2020. Howe was named the 2011 MIAC coach of the year and the program produced three All-Americans, three MIAC Player of the Year recipients and 34 All-MIAC honorees during the 13 seasons..

Before taking the job at Concordia, Howe spent five seasons as the top assistant to former head hockey coach John Harrington at SJU, helping lead the program to an 83-40-10 record and two MIAC championships. He had previously served as head coach of the Johnnies’ JV team before becoming an assistant coach at St. Cloud Apollo High School from 2000 to 2002 and a volunteer assistant coach at Division I St. Cloud State in 2002-03.

The St. Cloud Apollo High graduate was also a Central Lakes Conference champion golfer during his prep career and qualified for the state tournament. He has continued to compete in amateur golf, including in the Pine to Palm tournament in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Since his time at Concordia, Howe has been a lead instructor at the Minnesota Advancement Program (MAP), which is the Elite division within FHIT Hockey, in the Twin Cities area. The MAP develops hockey players during the eight months of the off-season and mentors, scouts and recruits players during the four months of their season.

“I’m thrilled that Chris will be leading our golf program,” Alpers said. “Chris played for me his freshman year. He is an accomplished player and knows the game. I’ve also seen Chris in action as a golf coach and have always been so impressed with his positivity and the way his studentathletes responded to him. His experience, energy and enthusiasm will be a perfect fit for our players and for Saint John’s.”

Head Coach

Alpers previously stepped away from the head coaching job prior to the 2021-2022 school year, but returned last season and led the Johnnies to an MIAC title and a fifth-place finish at last spring’s NCAA

Division III national meet - the program’s best finish at nationals in 12 years.

In all, Alpers spent 29 seasons at the helm.

Over that time, he led the Johnnies to 13 MIAC titles and 20 NCAA national meet appearances, including winning backto-back national championships in 2007 and 2008.

SJU has finished in the top 10 at the national tournament in 11 of those 20 appearances, and in the top 15 in 15 of the 20.

“HIS EXPERIENCE, ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM WILL BE A PERFECT FIT FOR OUR PLAYERS AND FOR SAINT JOHN’S”

GARY’S OPENED IN 1982.

In 1982, the Johnnies went 9-0 and have had a winning record ever since.

Coincidence? We think NOT!

Thank you CSB and SJU Students, Staff & Alumni for over 40 great years!

ALL-AMERICA SCHOLAR HONORS

Two Saint John’s University golf studentathletes - Thomas Gutzmer ‘23 (Jordan, Minn.) and senior Nate Loxtercamp (Richmond, Minn./Melrose Area) - earned Golf Coaches’ Association of America (GCAA) All-America Scholar recognition for 2022-23 on Wednesday, Aug. 9.

To be eligible for All-America Scholar recognition, student-athletes must be either sophomore, junior or senior with a season scoring average under 79.0, a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and have participated in 50 percent or more of the team’s varsity events/rounds during the 2022-23 season.

The SJU golf program has now had an All-America Scholar each of the past 24 years, for a total of 46 during that span. The honor was the third-consecutive for Gutzmer and the second for Loxtercamp.

Both golfers were named to the College Sports Communicators (formerly College Sports Information Directors of America, CoSIDA) Academic All-District at-large

team in May and earned Academic AllMIAC honors last month. The Academic All-MIAC distinction was the thirdstraight for Gutzmer and the second for Loxtercamp.

Gutzmer graduated in May as a social science (secondary education) major with a 3.87 GPA. A three-time Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-Region and All-MIAC selection, he posted a 74.9 scoring average in 24 rounds this season. He finished in the tournament’s top 10 in five of the 10 events. Gutzmer ended his career with a 74.8 average in 68.5 career rounds, including 16 rounds at par or better with three wins and 14 top-10 finishes.

An accounting major with a 3.94 GPA, Loxtercamp was named the MIAC CoPlayer of the Year and GCAA All-Region in 2022-23. He earned medalist honors at the 2022 MIAC Championship in October and ended the season with a 73.5 average in 24 rounds, including eight rounds at

par or better and five top-10 finishes. Loxtercamp was the NCAA Elite 90 Award recipient in 2022 for having the highest GPA at the NCAA Championship and is a 3-time All-MIAC honoree. He begins his senior season with a 74.7 average in 57.5 career rounds with 16 rounds at par or better and 14 top-top finishes in 26 events.

Aside from the NCAA Division III Championship, where the Johnnies finished fifth out of 43 teams, SJU won five tournaments and finished second in the other four competitions in 2022-23. SJU went 51-2 against MIAC schools (1015 over the past two seasons) and recorded the program’s best team scoring average – 293.1 over 24 rounds – which was 2.5 shots better than the previous mark recorded last season (295.6).

The Johnnies begin the 2023-24 season with a two-day dual against Gustavus Adolphus at Rush Creek G.C. in Maple Grove (Sept. 2) and Pioneer Creek G.C. in Maple Plain (Sept. 3).

Saint John’s University won its first NCAA Division III Men’s Golf National Championship with a four-round total of 1,204 (+52) at Hawthorns Golf and Country Club in Fishers, Ind.

Clinton Dammann ’08 claimed medalist honors for the first time in his collegiate career with a four-round total of 287 (-1). Dammann (dah-min) claimed the school’s seventh individual national championship in all sports and first since 2001 when wrestler Brandon Novak won the 197-pound weight class at the NCAA Division III Championships.

Andrew Longbella ’07 tied for seventh overall with a total of 302 (+14), followed by Matt Bohlig ’09 and Joe Daly ’09 who tied for 26th with a 310 (+22). Joe Schoolmeesters ’09, the 2007 MIAC Player of the Year, finished with a 315 (+27).

The Johnnies shot rounds of 300, 300, 301 and 303 to finish 12 strokes ahead of second-place La Verne (+64). Ohio Wesleyan (+65), Huntingdon (+75) and Oglethorpe (+83) rounded out the top five.

This is the second consecutive season, and fourth time in the last seven years, that an institution from the 12-state Central Region has won the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship. Nebraska Wesleyan won the title last year, fellow Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference member Gustavus Adolphus won in 2004 and Wisconsin-Eau Claire won in 2001.

The field of 35 teams was cut to 23 teams after Wednesday’s round with nine-time champion Methodist being eliminated by Salem State in a playoff, 18-19 for the final spot.

The 2007 NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships were hosted by Anderson University and the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and held at Hawthorns Golf and Country Club in Fishers, Ind., and Prairie View G.C. in Carmel, Ind. Both courses play to a par 72.

Down by eight strokes entering the final round, Saint John’s University shot a 291 (+7) to win its second consecutive NCAA Division III Men’s Golf National Championship at Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Ga. in May 2008.

The Johnnies shot rounds of 314, 291, 296 and 291 to finish three strokes ahead of second-place Redlands (+59). St. John Fisher (+63), Methodist (+67) and Skidmore (+68) rounded out the top five.

Joe Schoolmeesters ’09 led the Johnnies with a four-round total of 294 (+10) to finish sixth overall and earn PING All-America first-team honors. Schoolmeesters shot an even-par 71 in Friday’s final round.

Matt Bohlig ’08 tied for 10th overall with a total of 297 (+13), followed by Joe Daly ’09 and Joey ’09 Polingo, who both tied for 19th with a 301 (+17). Bohlig earned second-team All-America honors, while Daly and Polingo were named to the All-America third team. Polingo collected five birdies to record a 31 on the final nine holes to finish with a two-under par 69 in the final round Friday. Clinton Dammann ’08, last year’s NCAA Division III National Championship medalist, finished with a 319 (+35). This is the third consecutive season, and fifth time in the last eight years, that an institution from the 12-state Central Region has won the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship. Nebraska Wesleyan won the title in 2006, fellow Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference member Gustavus Adolphus won in 2004 and Wisconsin-Eau Claire won in 2001.

The 2008 NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships were hosted by Emory University and the Gwinnett Sports Commission, and held at Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Ga. Both the Chateau and Woodlands courses play to a par 71 and the field of 35 teams was cut to 23 teams after Wednesday’s round.

Due to COVID, the 2020-2021 Championships were shifted to the spring, so this team won two conference championships in the same calendar year when they won in the fall of 2021.

No. 20 Saint John’s golf used a fast start to win its 14th conference title at the 2021 Fall MIAC Championships on Monday, Oct. 4, at Bunker Hills G.C. (par 72) in Coon Rapids.

The win clinched SJU’s 19th appearance at the NCAA Division III Championship. Held May 10-13 at Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. The Johnnies finished with a 45-hole total of 706 (-14) and Gustavus Adolphus claimed second with a 712 (-8). Carleton was third with a 758 (+38).

SJU started the final round with a 15shot lead over GAC. The five Johnnies combined for 14 birdies and 25 pars on the front nine as SJU was -10 at the turn. The Gusties, however, posted a 277 (-11) and closed the gap to six after the

Johnnies lost nine shots on the final four holes to end with a 286 (-2).

For the first time since 2008, all five Johnnies finished in the top 10 to earn All-MIAC honors.

• Nate Loxtercamp (Richmond, Minn./ Melrose Area) birdied five of his first six holes and tallied a 71 (-1) to place second out of 45 golfers with a 173 (-7). He led the tournament with 14 birdies.

• Sam Berger (Waconia, Minn.) led SJU Monday with a 2-under par 70 and tied for fourth with a 178 (-2), while sophomore Glavine Schugel (New Ulm, Minn.) claimed sixth with an even-par 180.

• Blake Schuler (Waconia, Minn.) tied for seventh (+1, 181) and junior Thomas Gutzmer (Jordan, Minn.) placed 10th (+3, 183).

This isn’t the first time the Johnnies golf team has won two championships in a row. In 2007 and 2008, the team won back-to-back championships as well.

SJU’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP RECORDS

Team Finish

2000 - Seventh-Place Finish (54-hole total of 904, +52)

2001 - Seventh-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1195, +59)

2002 - Eighth-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1246, +110)

2003 - Third-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1184, +48)

2004 - 13th-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1227, +75)

2005 - Sixth-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1213, +61)

2006 - 18th-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1260, +124)

2007 - National Champions (72-hole total of 1204, +52)

2008 - National Champions (72-hole total of 1192, +56)

2009 - Eighth-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1201, +49)

2010 - Fourth-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1191, +43)

2011 - Third-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1180, +28)

2013 - Sixth-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1199, +59)

2014 - 15th-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1223, +71)

2017 - 15th-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1224, +72)

2018 - 19th-Place Finish (36-hole total of 608, +32)

2019 - 21st-Place Finish (36-hole total of 623, +47)

2021 - 15th-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1218, +86)

2022 - 26th-Place Finish (36-hole total of 633, +61)

2023 - Fifth-Place Finish (72-hole total of 1160, +8)

Individual Round (Overall)

t1. -4 – Sam Berger (2023, 1st; par 72)

t1. -4 – Joey Polingo (2009, 1st; par 72)

t1. -4 – Matt Bohlig (2008, 2nd; par 71)

t4. -3 – Sam Berger (2023, 4th; par 72)

t4. -3 – Andrew Boemer (2023, 3rd; par 72)

t4. -3 – Dennis Granath (2013, 4th; par 71)

t4. -3 – Mark Giorgi (2011, 1st; par 72)

t4. -3 – Mark Giorgi (2010, 4th; par 72)

t4. -3 – Sammy Schmitz (2003, 4th; par 71)

t10. -2 – Austin Kottke (2018, 2nd; par 72)

t10. -2 – Dennis Granath (2013, 1st; par 71)

t10. -2 – Dennis Granath (2011, 1st; par 72)

t10. -2 – Casey Vangsness (2011, 1st; par 72)

t10. -2 – Joe Daly (2009, 1st; par 72)

t10. -2 – Joey Polingo (2008, 4th; par 71)

t10. -2 – Andrew Longbella (2005, 2nd; par 72)

t10. -2 – Nathan Proshek (2003, 3rd; par 71)

t10. -2 – Sammy Schmitz (2003, 3rd; par 71)

t10. -2 – Nathan Proshek (2003, 2nd; par 71)

Individual Round (Par 71, Nine* Tournaments)

1. -4 – Matt Bohlig (2008, 2nd)

t2. -3 – Dennis Granath (2013, 4th)

t2. -3 – Sammy Schmitz (2003, 4th)

t4. -2 – Dennis Granath (2013, 1st)

t4. -2 – Joey Polingo (2008, 4th)

t4. -2 – Nathan Proshek (2003, 3rd)

t4. -2 – Sammy Schmitz (2003, 3rd)

t4. -2 – Nathan Proshek (2003, 2nd)

t10. -1 – Sammy Schmitz (2001, 3rd)

t10. -1 – Robert Cliff (2001, 1st)

11. E – Joe Schoolmeesters (2008, 4th)

t12. +1 – Dennis Granath (2010, 1st)

t12. +1 – Nathan Proshek (2003, 4th)

t12. +1 – Kyle Fredrickson (2003, 3rd)

t12. +1 – Matt McGovern (2001, 4th)

t12. +1 – Matt McGovern (2000, 3rd)

Individual Round (Par 72, Nine* Tournaments)

t1. -4 – Sam Berger (2023, 1st)

t1. -4 – Joey Polingo (2009, 1st)

t3. -3 – Sam Berger (2023, 4th)

t3. -3 – Andrew Boemer (2023, 3rd)

t3. -3 – Mark Giorgi (2011, 1st)

t3. -3 – Mark Giorgi (2010, 4th)

t7. -2 – Austin Kottke (2018, 2nd)

t7. -2 – Dennis Granath (2011, 1st)

t7. -2 – Casey Vangsness (2011, 1st)

t7. -2 – Joe Daly (2009, 1st)

t7. -2 – Andrew Longbella (2005, 2nd)

Team Round (Overall)

1. -4, 284 (2023, 1st; par 72)

2. -2, 286 (2011, 1st; par 72)

3. E, 288 (2009, 1st; par 72)

t4. +1, 289 (2023, 4th; par 72)

t4. +1, 285 (2003, 3rd; par 71)

t6. +3, 291 (2011, 2nd; par 72)

t6. +3, 291 (2010, 4th; par 72)

t6. +3, 291 (2010, 3rd; par 72)

9. +5, 293 (2023, 2nd; par 72)

10. +6, 294 (2014, 2nd; par 72)

Team Round (Par 71, Nine* Tournaments)

1. +1, 285 (2003, 3rd)

t2. +7, 291 (2008, 4th)

t2. +7, 291 (2008, 2nd)

4. +8, 292 (2013, 1st)

t5. +9, 293 (2003, 4th)

t5. +9, 293 (2000, 3rd)

7. +10, 294 (2013, 4th)

8. +12, 296 (2008, 3rd)

9. +13, 297 (2001, 3rd)

t10. +15, 299 (2003, 2nd)

t10. +15, 299 (2001, 4th)

t10. +15, 299 (2001, 1st)

Team Round (Par 72, Nine* Tournaments)

1. -4, 284 (2023, 1st)

2. -2, 286 (2011, 1st)

3. E, 288 (2009, 1st)

4. +1, 289 (2023, 4th)

t5. +3, 291 (2011, 2nd)

t5. +3, 291 (2010, 4th)

t5. +3, 291 (2010, 3rd)

8. +5, 293 (2023, 2nd)

9. +6, 294 (2014, 2nd)

t10. +8, 296 (2010, 2nd)

t10. +8, 296 (2005, 2nd)

Individual Event (Overall)

1. -2 – Sam Berger (2023; par 72)

2. -1 – Clinton Dammann (2007; par 72)

t3. E – Dennis Granath (2011; par 72)

t3. E – Nathan Proshek (2003; par 71)

t5. +5 – Nate Loxtercamp (2023; par 72)

t5. +5 – Blake Schuler (2023; par 72)

t7. +7 – Dennis Granath (2013; par 71)

t7. +7 – Mark Giorgi (2010; par 71/72)

t7. +7 – Ben Vangsness (2010; par 71/72)

t7. +7 – Josh Sherlin (2004; par 72)

t7. +7 – Sammy Schmitz (2003; par 71)

Individual Event (Par 71/284; Nine* Tournaments)

1. E – Nathan Proshek (2003)

t2. +7 – Dennis Granath (2013)

t2. +7 – Sammy Schmitz (2003)

t4. +10 – Joe Schoolmeesters (2008)

t4. +10 – Sammy Schmitz (2001)

t6. +13 – Robert Cliff (2001)

t6. +13 – Matt Bohlig (2008)

8. +14 – Kyle Fredrickson (2003)

t9. +17 – Joe Daly (2008)

t9. +17 – Joey Polingo (2008)

t9. +17 – Nathan Proshek (2001)

Individual Event (Par 72/288; Nine*

Tournaments)

1. -2 – Sam Berger (2023; par 72)

2. -1 – Clinton Dammann (2007)

3. E – Dennis Granath (2011)

t4. +5 – Nate Loxtercamp (2023; par 72)

t4. +5 – Blake Schuler (2023; par 72)

t6. +7 – Mark Giorgi (2010)

t6. +7 – Ben Vangsness (2010)

t6. +7 – Josh Sherlin (2004)

9. +10 – Tony Krogen (2011)

10. +11 – Mark Giorgi (2011)

*the 2010 and 2022 NCAA Championships included competition on both a par 71 and 72 course, with the championship rounds held on the latter; the opposite was the case for the 2013 NCAA Championship (championship rounds were held on a par-71 course)

ALL-MIAC

1979 Rich Hoban (Fifth)

1982 Rob Krause (n/a)

1983 Rob Krause (Fifth)

Brian Sweeney (T-Seventh)

Tim McCollow (T-Seventh)

1984 Brian Sweeney (Medalist)

1985 Mark Krause (Seventh)

1986 Brian Sweeney (T-Fourth)

1987 Tom Sweetman (Fourth)

1988 Bill Fitzgerald (Sixth)

1989 Bill Fitzgerald (Fourth)

Jim Regan (Sixth)

Jordan Anderson (Ninth)

1990 Jim Regan (T-Second)

Erick Reim (T-10th)

1991 Derek Larson (Third)

Erick Reim (T-Fifth)

Todd Kueppers (T-Eighth)

1992 Erick Reim (Medalist)

Derek Larson (T-Seventh)

1993 Ross Bullard (T-10th)

1994 Ben Strauman (T-Seventh)

1995 Aaron Schmucker (10th)

1996 Aaron Schmucker (T-Fifth)

1997 Brian Sinotte (T-Seventh)

1998 Chris Shearen (T-Third)

1999 Sammy Schmitz (Second)

Matt McGovern (Eighth)

Robert Cliff (T-Ninth)

2000 Matt McGovern (Medalist)

Paul Ponath (T-Third)

Robert Cliff (T-Sixth)

Sammy Schmitz (T-Sixth)

ALL-AMERICANS

2000 Matt McGovern (third team)

Sammy Schmitz (third team)

2001 Sammy Schmitz (third team)

Robert Cliff (honorable mention)

2002 Sammy Schmitz (second team)

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

2001 Sammy Schmitz (Second)

Josh Sherlin (T-Fifth)

Paul Ponath (T-Ninth)

Nathan Proshek (T-Ninth)

2002 Sammy Schmitz (Medalist)

Nathan Proshek (T-Fifth)

2003 Josh Sherlin (Medalist)

Nathan Proshek (T-Fifth)

2004 Chad Michelson (Second)

Clinton Dammann (T-Eighth)

2005 Joe Daly (Medalist)

Andrew Longbella (T-Fourth)

Kyle Fredrickson (T-Seventh)

2006 Joe Schoolmeesters (Medalist)

Andrew Longbella (Third)

Clinton Dammann (Sixth)

Matt Bohlig (T-Seventh)

2007 Joe Schoolmeesters (Second)

Joey Polingo (Seventh)

2008 Joe Schoolmeesters (Medalist)

Ben Vangsness (Fourth)

Joe Daly (Fifth)

Joey Polingo (Sixth)

Ben Cahill (T-Seventh)

2009 Tony Krogen (Medalist)

Mark Giorgi (T-Third)

Ben Vangsness (T-Eighth)

2010 Tony Krogen (T-Third)

Dennis Granath (Sixth)

Alex Klehr (T-Ninth)

Casey Vangsness (T-Ninth)

2011 Casey Vangsness (T-Third)

Dennis Granath (T-Seventh)

2012 Dennis Granath (Third)

Casey Vangsness (T-Fourth)

Derek Brinker (T-Eighth)

Drew Lynch (10th)

2013 Brett Draxler (Medalist)

Casey Vangsness (T-Fourth)

Drew Lynch (T-Sixth)

2014 Ryan Gallagher (Second)

Drew Lynch (T-Eighth)

Collin Seal (vote)

2015 Ryan Gallagher (vote)

2016 Sam Olson (Medalist)

Ryan Gallagher (Second)

Austin Kottke (T-Fifth)

Mack Farley (T-Ninth)

Wes Dickhaus (vote)

2017 Jack Koehler (vote)

Matt Lutz (T-Fourth)

Sam Olson (T-Eighth)

David Schneider (vote)

2018 Matt Wahl (T-Sixth)

David Schneider (10th)

Jack Koehler (vote)

2019 Preston Kopel (T-Third)

David Schneider (T-Eighth)

Charlie Stuck (T-Eighth)

Matt Wahl (vote)

2021/Spring

Thomas Gutzmer (T-Medalist)

Sam Berger (Third)

2009 Joe Schoolmeesters (third team)

2010 Mark Giorgi (second team)

Ben Vangsness (second team)

Tony Krogen (third team)

2011 Dennis Granath (first team)

Esten Stensrud (T-Fifth)

Glavine Schugel (T-Ninth)

Nate Loxtercamp (vote)

2021/Fall

Nate Loxtercamp (Second)

Sam Berger (T-Fourth)

Glavine Schugel (Sixth)

Blake Schuler (T-Seventh)

Thomas Gutzmer (10th)

2022 Nate Loxtercamp (Medalist)

Andrew Boemer (Third)

Sam Berger (Fourth)

Blake Schuler (T-Eighth)

Thomas Gutzmer (vote)

Nathan Proshek (honorable mention)

2003 Nathan Proshek (first team)

Sammy Schmitz (second team)

2004 Josh Sherlin (second team)

2005 Josh Sherlin (first team)

Andrew Longbella (third team)

2007 Clinton Dammann (first team)

Andrew Longbella (first team)

2008 Joe Schoolmeesters (first team)

Matt Bohlig (second team)

Joe Daly (third team)

Joey Polingo (third team)

2012 Dennis Granath (third team)

2013 Casey Vangsness (first team)

Dennis Granath (third team)

Drew Lynch (third team)

2014 Tommy Koehler (honorable mention)

Casey Vangsness (honorable mention)

2015 Ryan Gallagher (honorable mention)

2017 Ryan Gallagher (honorable mention)

2018 Sam Olson (honorable mention)

2019 David Schneider (honorable mention)

2020 David Schneider (honorable mention)

2023 Sam Berger (honorable mention)

Thomas Gutzmer

Sam Berger

David Schnieder

PROUD SPONSOR AND CONTRACTOR FOR JOHNNIE ATHLETICS

GOLF FACILITIES

One of the Finest and Most Beautiful 18-Hole Public Golf Courses in Central Minnesota

Blackberry Ridge Golf Club offers a blend of rolling, wooded terrain, a breathtaking clubhouse, great dining at Grill19, and a stunning venue for your next event. Our course is sure to challenge golfers, delight diners, and dazzle spectators and visitors of all ages.

The Alpers Golf Learning Cenr

The Alpers Golf Learning Center, made possible by generous donations from Saint John’s University golf alumni, is part of the Gagliardi Field complex on the SJU campus. The facility - named in honor of former Johnnie golf coach and current SJU athletic director Bob Alpers - consists of two simulator bays, a chipping green and a putting green. It’s used year-round not only by the golf team, but by the general student body, faculty and staff for practices and simulated rounds of golf.

Be a Bennie Be a Johnnie

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Presented by Institutional Advancement Scholarships Provide Opportunities for Miller in Saint John’s Athletics

Graham Miller ’25 has embraced his passion for sports photography during his time at Saint John’s University in ways he feels wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

As a freshman, the communication major and art minor from Victoria, Minnesota worked in the athletic media relations office at the College of Saint Benedict, and last year he worked as a photographer for Saint John’s athletic media relations director Ryan Klinkner ’04.

“I get the chance to see the action from the sidelines and capture moments most fans don’t get to see,” Miller said. “I love my job and I take my position seriously. I’m getting the chance to explore what I want to do.

“It can be hard getting access to sporting events at bigger schools, or to find a student job on campus that would allow me to do this. I was fortunate when I came to Saint John’s that I was able to find people right away who supported me and wanted to have me on the team creating images for them.”

Miller, the youngest of four siblings, said coming to Saint John’s wouldn’t have happened if not for scholarships. He receives the Stephen Slaggie Scholarship, the Abbott Baldwin Dworschak Scholarship, the Cyril Pesek Scholarship, the Tse You Kai Scholarship, an academic achievement scholarship, an art scholarship and an alum referral scholarship.

“Scholarships have been a really big help for me,” Miller said. “If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been able to attend Saint John’s. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to receive a great, wellrounded education.”

Klinkner said Miller is a pleasure to work with and his skillset is rare to find in an underclassman.

“Graham has been impressive since day one, both in his abilities as a photographer and his professionalism,” Klinkner said. “Athletic photography typically demands a long learning process, but that was not the case with Graham. I am excited for Graham’s future and to see how he will continue to enhance Johnnie athletics over the next two years.”

Miller also took advantage of the Student Exploration through Alum Mentoring (SEAM) program where students are matched with alum mentors for informational interviews, networking conversations and an in-person or virtual site visit. It allows student participants to both network and explore the value of their liberal arts degree when it comes to future careers.

Miller was paired with James Slagle ‘09, the director of enterprise accounts at Shift4, a financial services company. Slagle has experience in sports marketing in the athletic departments at the University of Florida, the University of Minnesota and the University of Southern California.

“It’s great to have the chance to connect with an alum and learn from them,” Miller said. “They share their experience and stories about their career and you pick up skills you might not get in other places.”

Miller hopes to work in the work in the sports digital media industry after graduation. He is so grateful to the donors who have helped make it possible for him to chase that dream.

“I still remember how it felt receiving my acceptance letter in the mail. I knew at that moment that this was the right place for me, and that feeling hasn’t changed. It’s amazing to know there are so many people out there who care about making this possible. The Johnnie and Bennie network is really something remarkable.”

Granite Partners is a private investment and holding company founded in 2002 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with a mission to grow companies and create value for all stakeholders. As trusted partners, innovative leaders, and responsible stewards, we are committed to 100-year sustainability, and we aspire to world-class wellbeing for all people in and around the Granite community.

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