WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- For the sixth time in program history and second consecutive season, the University of Dubuque Spartans are crowned the men's golf champions of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C). UD held off the field by nine shots, breaking the previous 54-hole A-R-C championship record by seven shots.
UD saw two golfers earn all-conference honors and three earning honorable mention honors. Luke Harwick posted new 18-hole (67) and 54-hole (213) championship records en route to his individual title. Teammate John Dobbe finished sixth with a three-round total of 221.
Along with his individual title, Harwick becomes the fourth Spartan student-athlete to be named the conference's Golfer of the Year - joining Eric Wolfe (2014), Jim Kinney (1975), and Carter Ruegsegger (2025).
The Spartans posted a round of 298 in the third round. UD's victory earned them the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships in Florida in a few weeks.
For the second time in his career in men's golf, UD's head coach Dustin Bierman was voted American Rivers Conference Coach of the Year.
In his freshman campaign, Nicholas Sullivan of Loras finished T-11th to earn honorable mention honors and Rookie of the Year honors.
All-Conference:
1. Luke Harwick, UD (213)
2. Blake Perrin, Simpson (214)
3. Jackson Lapour, Nebraska Wesleyan (220)
4. Vaughn Tyler, Wartburg (221)*
5. Carter Yurgae, Central (221)*
6. John Dobber, UD (221)*
7. Jacob Cosimano, Nebraska Wesleyan (223)
8. Travis Tilford, Nebraska Wesleyan (224)
9. Garett Sperber, Luther (226)
10. Maison Brandt, Central (227)
*place determined by scorecard playoff
Honorable Mention:
T-11. Paul Bloomquist, UD (229)
T-11. Nicholas Sullivan, Loras (229)
T-11. Jaiden Ronke, Nebraska Wesleyan (229)
T-11. Tyson Malak, UD (229)
T-11. Bob Ryan, UD (229)
Team Standings:
1. University of Dubuque (884)
2. Nebraska Wesleyan University (893)
3. Central College (922)
4. Wartburg College (934)
5. Buena Vista University (935)
6. Luther College (943)
7. Coe College (948)
8. Loras College (956)
9. Simpson College (960)
About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
