The SJU golf team, ranked second nationally, plays host to St. Thomas for the annual Johnnie-Tommie Cup this Friday, April 29. Tee time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Pebble Creek G.C. in Becker.

Preview Video:
-Head coach Bob Alpers (4:19)

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's gained four shots on Gustavus Adolphus but could not overtake the Gusties at last weekend's SJU Spring Invitational. SJU shot a six-over par 294 to finish second with a three-round total of 870 (+14). Gustavus won the tournament with an 864 (+8). St. Cloud State finished third with an 878 (+22), followed by SJU Blue (880 (+24) and Wisconsin-Eau Claire (887, +31).

Sophomore Andy Stahlman (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) fired a four-under par 68 to earn co-medalist honors with a one-over par 215 (via tie-breaker, lowest final round) for SJU Blue, which recorded Saturday's high of 288 (E). He posted seven birdies on the day and three-putted two of his three bogeys.

Freshman Casey Vangsness (Alexandria, Minn.) tied with Stahlman and Gustavus Adolphus' Alex Kolquist with a one-over par 215 to lead SJU's varsity squad. Sophomore Dennis Granath (Bandhagen, Sweden/Farsta Gymnasium) finished fourth, via tie-breaker, with a two-over par 216. He shot an even-par 72 on Saturday. Junior Tony Krogen (Marshall, Minn.) tied for ninth with a 220 (+6), while sophomore Mark Giorgi (Red Wing, Minn.) tied for 22nd (224, +10). Junior Alex Klehr (Mankato, Minn./West) rounded out the Johnnies' five with a 228 (+14).

Senior Ben Cahill (Grand Rapids, Minn.) tallied four birdies and an eagle (No. 4) to register a three-under par 69 Sunday to tie for 25th (225, +11). Junior Alex Wallerich (Lake City, Minn.) tied for 17th with a 223 (+9). Freshman Robb Goetzke (North St. Paul, Minn./Hill-Murray) led SJU White, which claimed 10th (922, +66), in a tie with Wallerich for 17th (223, +19). He and fellow freshman Tommy Koehler (Eden Prairie, Minn.) posted one-over 73's Saturday.

NEW RANKINGS: SJU moved up one spot to No. 2 in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches' Division III poll released April 27. Guilford (N.C.) claimed the top spot, just one point ahead of the Johnnies, who received five first-place votes and a total of 384 points. SJU was followed by Methodist (N.C.), Greensboro (N.C.) and Illinois Wesleyan.

CO-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: Stahlman and Vangsness were named MIAC Men's Golf Co-Athletes of the Week with Gustavus Adolphus' Alex Kolquist for their respective performances at last weekend's SJU Spring Invitational.

A LOOK AT THE TOMMIES: St. Thomas finished sixth with consistency, posting rounds of 296, 297 and 297 at last weekend's SJU Spring Invitational. Junior Brandon Engebos, the MIAC Golf Athlete of the Week leading up to the tournament, led the Tommies with a seven-over par 221 to tie for 12th.

LAST YEAR: Last year, then-No. 6 SJU defeated St. Thomas 8.5-1.5 in match play.

Match-Play Results
Giorgi def. John Young, 1 up
Grant Shafranski def. Cahill, 5/4
Krogen and Sean Barrett tied
Granath def. Brandon Engebos, 4/3
Klehr def. Michael Mortenson, 2/1
Stahlman def. Brian Parkhurst, 3/1
Sophomore Stephen Gross (New Prague, Minn.) def. Cutter Tyllia, 1 up
Sophomore Pat Cron (Eden Prairie, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) def. Jacob Miller, 6/5
Wallerich def. Grant Wayland, 4/3
Senior Will Wahlers (Eden Prairie, Minn.) def. Ben Goodman, 3/2