KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State men's golf team opens the 2025-26 season ranked fifth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, announced Monday (Sept. 8) by the league office. This is the highest the Tigers have ever been ranked in the poll since it was first introduced before the 2014-15 season.
 
The Tigers finished fourth at the MIAA Championships last spring and placed fifth in the season-long points race in the league. The performance at the league meet was FHSU's best finish at conference since 2012, while the fifth-place finish in the full league standings was tied for the third-best finish for the Tigers since FHSU joined the MIAA in 2006-07.
 
Fort Hays State accumulated 55 points in the balloting process, 11 points shy of fourth-ranked Arkansas Tech. Defending MIAA champion Central Oklahoma tops the poll after picking up nine first-place votes and 99 points overall. Central Missouri received the final two top selections, racking up 90 points. Washburn rounded out the top three with 75 points.
 
Head coach Seth Kincaid returns five players from last season's roster in addition to five newcomers, three transfers and two freshmen. Two-time All-MIAA honoree Cooper Scheck leads the returners after becoming the first player in team history to earn PING All-Region status a year ago. Jordan McCaslin, Ben Deges, Ashton Dowell and Isaak Bowman round out the returners, while the newcomers include JD Dintino, Colby Hays, Chutithep Rungpajchim, Grant McAtee and Jason Brokaw.
 
The Tigers open their season this week at The Mule in Warrensburg, Mo. before traveling to Tulsa, Okla. for the NSU Men's Golf Classic next Monday and Tuesday, which will be the first MIAA designated event of the fall.
 
2025-26 MIAA MEN'S GOLF PRESEASON POLL
1. Central Oklahoma [9] – 99 points
2. Central Missouri [2] – 90 points
3. Washburn – 75 points
4. Arkansas Fort-Smith – 66 points
5. Fort Hays State – 55 points
6. Missouri Western – 51 points
7. Northeastern State – 41 points
8. Newman – 38 points
9. Missouri Southern – 35 points
10. Rogers State – 29 points
11. Pittsburg State – 26 points