BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Valdosta State men's golf junior
Alexander Nilehn was named to the All-Gulf South Conference Second Team, the league office announced Wednesday.
Nilehn, a native of Goteborg, Sweden, has played in all 11 tournaments for the No. 54-ranked Blazers this season and 33 rounds. He has a 72.8 stroke average with 30 rounds in the 70s and two in the 60s with a low-round of 66 at the Saint Leo Invitational. He has one top three finish and (T-3rd) at The Griffin Invitational and finished in the top ten four times this season. Nilehn is ranked 97th nationally and 31st in the region.
Last season, Nilehn earned second team all-league honors, while being named Academic All-District as voted on by College Sports Communicators, GSC All-Academic and earned a spot on the GSC Academic Honor Roll. He also earned Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar honors. For his career, he has played in 30 tournaments and 88 rounds with a career stroke average of 73.6. He has 75 rounds in the 70s and ten in the 60s.
For the 2025-26 season, Lee's Drew Zielinski earned Golfer of the Year honors, while teammate Tucker Wick was named Freshman of the Year. West Florida head coach Steve Fell was named Coach of the Year. Nilehn is the only second team honoree to earn all-league honors twice.
Click here for the All-GSC Men's Golf Teams.
Nilehn, along with teammate junior
William Carestam, will compete in the NCAA Division II Men's Golf South/Southeast Regional, May 7-9 at Valdosta Country Club in Valdosta, Ga. Nilehn is seeded second among the four qualifying individuals from the South Region, while Carestam is seeded third.
The NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional will consist of 20 teams and eight student-athletes competing as individuals combined from both regions. A total of seven teams, including the top two individuals not with an advancing team will qualify for the finals. Tiebreakers and playoffs will be used to determine advancement to the finals, as well as team and individual champions. The 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship is set for May 18-22 at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nev.
Click here for the regional championship page for the South/Southeast Regional.
