BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – The St. Olaf College men's golf team completed its highest finish at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men's Golf Championships since 2011 on the final day of the 54-hole event on Monday at Edinburgh USA.

Led by a top-10 finish from sophomore Ryan Herbst, St. Olaf finished the three-day tournament in fourth place with a score of 917 (+53) for the program's best showing since another fourth-place result in 2011. The Oles finished five shots ahead of Macalester College for the tournament after shooting a second consecutive 307 (+19) on the final day.

Herbst put together his best round of the tournament with a one-over 73 on Monday that included an even-par 36 on the front nine, highlighted by three consecutive birdies on holes 7-9. The sophomore finished his round just outside the top 10 before moving into the top 10 as the later tee times concluded, securing a spot on the MIAC All-Championship Team and automatic All-MIAC honors (announced in May) for Herbst.

His score of 225 (+9) was seven shots off the pace of individual medalist Jesse Balc of Bethel University, as Herbst finished in the top 10 in par-five scoring (-2, 4.87) and par-four scoring (+6, 4.25) over the three days. Herbst's tied-for-ninth finish was the highest by an Ole since current head coach Noah Parker '20 tied for eighth in 2017 and the first top-10 performance by an Ole since Casey Parker '23 – Noah's younger brother – was 10th in 2019.

Sophomore Will Black and junior Ike Vessey both finished off top-20 finishes, as Black concluded with a 77 (+5) and Vessey with a 78 (+6). Black carded a one-over 37 on the back, while Vessey shot an even-par 36 on the front. For the tournament, Vessey placed 18th (231, +15), while Black was one shot back in a tie for 19th (232, +16). Vessey finished tied for fourth in the field in par-four scoring (+4, 4.17), while Black was tied for sixth with 10 birdies over the 54 holes.

Senior Isaac Schmidt wrapped up his fourth MIAC Championships in a tie for 31st (237, +21) after a final-round 79 (+7), while junior Quinn Nevell wound up in a tie for 35th (239, +23) following a final-day 81 (+9).

St. Olaf will conclude its fall season at the Twin Cities Classic held Saturday through Monday, Oct. 4-6. The opening round will be held at Elk River Golf Club, followed by rounds at Le Sueur Country Club and Minnesota Valley Country Club.