WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – For the fifth time in program history and first since 2014, the University of Dubuque Spartans are crowned the men’s golf champions of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C). UD bested the field by 21 shots, finishing with a three-round total of 903.
UD saw three golfers earn All-Conference. Carter Ruegsegger
, posting a 54-hole total of 219, claimed medalist honors. Teammate John Dobbe finished as runner-up with a three-round total of 223. In his freshman season, Luke Harwick finished in eighth place with a championship total of 230.
Along with his low medalist honors, Ruegsegger becomes the third Spartan student-athlete to be named the Conference’s Golfer of the Year - joining Eric Wolfe (2014) and Jim Kinney (1975).
The Spartans fired a team score of 295 in the third round, the lowest 18-hole round of the championship. UD's victory earned them the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships in New York in a few weeks.
For the first time in his career in men's golf, UD's head coach Dustin Bierman was voted American Rivers Conference Coach of the Year.
A strong Luther Norse class finished with two all-conference performers in: Haakon Rustadm and Owen King.
Central's Maison Brandt propelled himself up the leaderboard, recording six birdies in the final round, to post a round of one-under par (70) to finish fifth in the championship.
Nebraska Wesleyan is represented on the all-conference team by Geran Sander and Brayden Schram.
Josh Nichols closed out his career earning all-conference honors for the Wartburg Knights.
In his freshman campaign, Jackson Tennis of Simpson finished in tenth to earn all-conference.
Golfer of the Year Carter Ruegsegger
Coach of the Year Dustin Bierman
Co- Rookie of the Year Luke Harwick & Maison Brandt (not pictured)
All-Conference:
1. Carter Ruegsegger, UD (291)
2. John Dobbe, UD (223)
3. Haakon Rustad, Luther (225)
4. Owen King, Luther (228)
5. Maison Brandt, Central (230) **
6. Geran Sander, Nebraska Wesleyan (230) **
7. Brayden Schram, Nebraska Wesleyan (230) **
8. Luke Harwick, UD (230) **
9. Josh Nichols, Wartburg (230) **
10. Jackson Tennis, Simpson (231)
Honorable Mention:
T-11. Matthew Turpen, Buena Vista (232)
T-11. Carter Yurgae, Central (232)
T-11. Jackson Lapour, Nebraska Wesleyan (232)
T-11. Blake Perrin, Simpson (232)
15. Crew Klingner, Central (234)
Team Standings:
1. University of Dubuque (903)
2. Nebraska Wesleyan University (924)
3. Luther College (930)
4. Central College (931)
5. Simpson College (934)
T-6. Buena Vista University (953)
T-6. Wartburg College (953)
8. Loras College (955)
9. Coe College (977)
*ties for 10th are not broken, all receive all-conference honors at 10th place
**place determined by scorecard playoff
2025 American Rivers Conference Men's Golf All-Conference
About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther
