2010-11 Golf World/Nike Golf Preseason Poll

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - The Saint John's University golf team enters the 2010-11 season ranked fifth in the Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches' Division III Preseason poll released Sept. 1.

Methodist (N.C.), the defending NCAA Division III champions, garnered the top spot, followed by Huntingdon (Ala.), Guilford (N.C.), La Verne (Calif.) and SJU.

Saint John's finished fourth out of 37 teams at the 2010 NCAA Division III Golf Championship on last May. With last season's fourth-place finish, the Johnnies have now finished in the top eight of the national tournament in nine of their 11 appearances (four in the top five). SJU returns four of its top five golfers from last season, including the 2009-10 MIAC Player of the Year, junior Tony Krogen (Marshall, Minn.), and the 2009-10 Division III Freshman of the Year, sophomore Mark Giorgi (Red Wing, Minn.).

SJU opens its 2010-11 schedule at the Augsburg Invitational next Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11-12, in Anoka. The Johnnies defend their 2009 conference title, their sixth in the past seven seasons, at the 2010 MIAC Championship Oct. 2-4 at Bunker Hills G.C. in Coon Rapids.