THREE-PEAT: Thunderwolves defend Region III crown, nationals on deck

*** PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Vorse, Jamestown Community College Athletics *** 

Still on top.

SUNY Niagara won a third consecutive NJCAA Region III championship Monday at the Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua. This also marked the program’s fifth regional title since 2019 and the seventh overall since 1968.

The Thunderwolves amassed a total of 623 strokes (313-310), 10 fewer attempts than last year, and 20 clear of runner-up Hudson Valley Community College (643). Onondaga Community College (646), Jefferson Community College (680) and SUNY Adirondack (693) rounded out the top five in team scoring. (Full results attached.)

Sophomore Finn Graham placed first overall with a score of 2-over-par 148. This marked Graham’s fifth win of the season (seventh in career) and his eighth career top-five finish. 

Classmate Anthony Gagliardi finished third at 8-over 154. This marked his highest-ever finish in the postseason after he placed seventh at regionals last year. 

Ryan Conrad placed eighth overall at 159 and Bode Daumen finished tied for ninth at 162. 

Graham and Gagliardi received first-team all-Region III honors, while Conrad and Daumen were selected to the second team. All four earned all-region distinction after finishing in the top 15.

SUNY Niagara head coach Matt Oleski was named Region III Coach of the Year for a third consecutive season and the eighth time in his career. Oleski previously won in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. 

SUNY Niagara now competes in the NJCAA Div. III championships June 2-5 at the Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua. The Thunderwolves placed fourth at nationals last season with a four-day score of 1,239 strokes, their lowest at the event in school history.