CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State men's golf team was tabbed as the Horizon League preseason favorite, while the women's squad was picked third in the preseason poll.
The League office announced the polls on Friday morning.
The CSU men's squad has captured the last three Horizon League titles and seven of the last 11 overall. The Vikings had a strong fall season with four top five finishes in their five events.
Senior Patrick Luth topped the Horizon League in scoring during the fall season with a 70.7 average. He shot par or better in 12 of his 15 rounds, including a career-low round of 65. Sophomore Anton Krecic posted a 73.3 average in the fall, while junior Blake Prince averaged 73.7 and junior Joey Krecic averaged 74.1.
The quartet played a key role in helping CSU to last year's League title as Joey Krecic finished second and Luth was third, both earning spots on the all-tournament team.
The men's squad begins the spring season at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate on Feb. 27-28.
The CSU women's squad was picked third in the preseason poll a year after finishing fourth at the League championship.
The squad posted a strong showing in the fall, despite having just five healthy players on the roster. Freshman Kaylee Neumeister ranked third in the League with a 76.8 scoring average and recorded three top-five finishes in five events.
Junior Sophie Kelner had a 77.9 scoring average, while freshman Ellie Cronin averaged 79.8 during the spring season.
The Vikings also claimed the Golden Grizzlies Invitational in late September for the second team title in program history.
CSU opens the spring season on Monday and Tuesday (Feb. 20-21) with a dual against Oakland and Youngstown State - the two teams picked ahead of the Vikings in the preseason poll - at Red Tail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla.
Horizon League Men's Golf Preseason Poll
1. Cleveland State
2. Oakland
3. Wright State
4. Valparaiso
5. Northern Kentucky
6. Detroit Mercy
7. Youngstown State
8. Green Bay
Horizon League Women's Golf Preseason Poll
1. Oakland
2. Youngstown State
3. Cleveland State
4. Northern Kentucky
5. Detroit Mercy
6. Valparaiso
7. UIC
8. Green Bay
