VALDOSTA, Ga. – On a wet and cool Saturday in May, the 2026 NCAA South/Southeast Regional came to a close at Valdosta Country Club.  Valdosta State junior Alexander Nilehn finished tied for 55^th with a 221 score on rounds of 76, 73, 72, while junior teammate William Carestam finished tied for 100^th with 234 score on rounds of 82, 78 and 74 on the par 72, 7,012-yard course.
 
No. 16-ranked Nova Southeastern finished 24-under with an 840 score, upsetting top-ranked West Florida (846).  No. 2 Lee finished third at -16 at 848, followed by No. 6 Georgia Southwestern at 850 and No. 4 Florida Southern finished fifth at 853.  No. 10 Columbus State finished at 860 for sixth, while No. 3 Wingate finished at 865 to earn the final spot into the NCAA Division II National Championship round.
 
Individually advancing were USC Beaufort's Octavio Laurent, who carded a final round 66 to finish fourth at minus-11 (205) and Emmanuel's  (Ga.) Gabriel Hull finished tied for fifth at 8-under 208. 
 
The seven teams and the two individuals will advance to Boulder City, Nev., May 18-22 for the national championship at Boulder Creek Golf Club.
 
Overall, UWF's Cooper Tendick had a record-setting regional as he earned region champion honors with a staggering 15-under 201, while setting the Valdosta CC Tournament record with a 65 on Friday.  Lee's Drew Zielinski finished tied for second with Nova Southeastern's Bruno Marques at 14-under 202.  Zielinski also carded a 65 on Friday. 
 
For the Blazers, both Carestam and Nilehn return next year and will look to help guide the team to its first team regional since 2019 in 2026-27.