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Vincennes University

Trailblazers Battle Elite Field at NJCAA DII Fall Championship Preview

Trailblazers Battle Elite Field at NJCAA DII Fall Championship Preview
Results
September 3, 2025

PLYMOUTH, Ind. – Facing one of the deepest and most competitive fields they will see all season, the Vincennes University Men's Golf team posted a seventh-place finish at the NJCAA Division II Fall Championship Preview, September 2–3 at Swan Lake Resort, host site of the 2026 NJCAA DII National Championship. The Trailblazers carded rounds of 304, 288, and 300 to finish at +16 (892).

The tournament was won by Heartland Community College, which finished at 13-under-par to claim the title. Heartland was one of several Region 24 rivals in the field, joined by Illinois Central, Parkland, Danville Area, and Lincoln Trail—programs the Trailblazers will be measured against throughout the season.

Against that familiar competition, VU proved competitive—finishing just one shot back of Illinois Central and well ahead of Parkland, Danville, and Lincoln Trail—demonstrating how tightly contested Region 24 will be once postseason play arrives. Head Coach Dennis Chattin noted the significance of seeing region opponents this early in the year. "Heartland winning the event shows just how strong our region is year in and year out," Chattin said. "To finish right there with Illinois Central and comfortably ahead of Parkland gives us confidence. Region 24 is one of the toughest in the country, and competing well against those teams now prepares us for what we'll face in the postseason."

VU's top performances came from sophomore Landon Gardner and freshman Cameron Chattin, who each tied for 16th in a field of 96 golfers at +1 overall. Gardner turned in rounds of 72–73–72 (217) for a steady showing that included a 2-under back nine on the final day. Chattin produced the Trailblazers' low round of the week with a brilliant opening-round 67 that featured a 31 on the back nine, before adding rounds of 72 and 78 to also finish at 217.

Freshman Zach Trtan delivered one of the stories of the tournament. After struggling with an opening-round 81, he bounced back in dramatic fashion with a 68 in round two—the lowest VU score of the week—before closing with a 76 to finish tied for 43rd at +9. Sophomore Brock Naile contributed consistent play with rounds of 76–75–76 (227), tying for 49th, while sophomore Kadin Gibson finished at +13 after rounds of 77–76–76 (229). Sophomore Parker Steininger, competing individually, posted scores of 74–74–83 to close at +15.

Chattin also emphasized the importance of competing in a national-level field. "I think we had a good tournament, even if some might look at seventh place differently," he said. "This field included teams from Mississippi, Oklahoma, Iowa, Tennessee, and Illinois—probably the strongest event we'll play outside of the national championship. I'd guess the top 10 teams here will all be ranked in the top 20 nationally when the rankings come out."

The Trailblazers will get a much-needed break, and will return to action on September 15 at the Warrior Fall Classic, hosted by Rend Lake College at Franklin County Country Club in West Frankfort, Illinois.

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