The Penn State Altoona men's golf team enters its 2025-26 campaign aiming to build on its recent run of success. The Lions have won the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in each of the past four seasons, giving the program nine conference titles in its history. Those AMCC championships have translated to eight NCAA postseason appearances for Penn State Altoona, and this year, the team is hoping to continue the trend.

Head coach Tom Koehle, last year's AMCC Coach of the Year, is coming into his 20th year guiding the men's golf program, and he understands that the formula for winning a fifth consecutive AMCC title will require hard work and focusing on the details, both on and off the course.

"Our biggest challenge to winning the AMCC for the fifth straight year comes down to doing the little things, day in and day out. If we take care of our class work, dedicate to our team goal of a conference championship, focus during practice times, and prepare properly, playing good golf takes care of itself," Koehle explained. "Our goal is to push ourselves competitively heading into AMCCs so we are comfortable heading to the first tee on October 13. Being good members of the campus community and good teammates is our primary goal and helps prepare us to have a clear mind heading into meaningful rounds of golf."

Penn State Altoona's roster is heavy on experience, with 15 of the team's 17 student-athletes being sophomores or higher.

Leading the way is senior Peter Nusbaum (Pittsboro, NC/Thales Academy), the reigning AMCC Golfer of the Year who was also a first-team all-conference selection and an NCAA Division III All-Region V pick. Last fall, Nusbaum led the AMCC in average (73.3) while finishing the combined 2024-25 season with a team-best 73.64 average.

"Our returning roster is deep, talented, and have put in the work in the offseason to come into Fall prepared to push each other. Peter Nusbaum was our first All-Region player in program history and really showed what he is capable of doing last spring by winning Camp Lejeune, which he will defend in the spring against a strong, national field," said Koehle. "Peter is our leader and he is excited to further cement his legacy at Penn State Altoona. He could be the first Penn State Altoona golfer to be a member of four AMCC Championship and NCAA qualifying teams."

Additionally, Penn State Altoona returns four other All-AMCC golfers from last season. Junior Nicky Riscica (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North) joined Nusbuam on the first team of the all-conference squad, while fellow juniors Andrew Bruce (Moon Township, PA/Moon) and Joey Sabol (State College, PA/State College) were second-team selections. Sophomore Nicholas Helsley (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle) earned a spot on the third team of the All-AMCC squad last year.

The Lions also welcome back plenty of other golfers who have significant experience during their tenure with the team: juniors Jack Ankeny (Davidsville, PA/Conemaugh Township), Daniel Batrus (Altoona, PA/Altoona), Anthony Carson (Broomall, PA/Cardinal O'Hara), Ethan Ellis (Pittsburgh, PA/North Catholic), Sean McCullough (Kittanning, PA/West Shamokin), Stephen Phillips (Gambrills, MD/DeMatha Catholic), Trent Querry (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle), and Maxwell Samangy (Crafton, PA/Carlynton) and sophomores Luke Repko (Cresson, PA/Bishop Carroll) and Roger Royer (Williamsburg, PA/Williamsburg Community).

"Nick Helsley is the hardest working player I have ever coached. He put himself on the local golf map this summer and his outstanding play has continued in early qualifying. I have no doubt Nick can follow in Peter's footsteps and be among the best Division III golfers in the country if he continues on his current trajectory. Andrew Bruce is one of the best teammates we can ask for along with being a fantastic ball striker. If AB's putting heats up, he will be contending regularly in our schedule," Koehle stated. "Our depth is key to our success, as we can look for Joey Sabol, Daniel Batrus, Nicky Riscica, Jack Ankeny, and Ethan Ellis to support, as well. Those five have started and contributed in AMCC and NCAA Championships over the last two years. Stephen Phillips, Sean McCullough, Trent Querry, and Anthony Carson have made varsity starts during their first two years as well. RJ Royer, Luke Repko, and Max Samangy have knocked on the door and shown glimpses of being capable at any moment to break into the lineup."

The team also welcomes a pair of newcomers to its roster in freshmen Austin Duelley (Austin, TX/Lake Travis) and Arthur Franciosa Jr. (Purchase, NY/Harrison).

"Austin Duelley and Arthur Franciosa have put themselves firmly in a position to crack the top five in early qualifying. Both come from strong junior golf backgrounds – Arthur in the MET PGA section and Austin as a member of the Texas state 6A championship team and the Texas State Junior Golf Tour," Koehle said. "Both have strong AJGA backgrounds and qualities that help them succeed on the golf course. As they learn to manage courses and play proper college team golf, they will have every opportunity to succeed at Penn State Altoona. Both have a strong chance of being AMCC Newcomer of the Year and competing in our most important events as the season goes on."

Koehle hopes to challenge his squad this season with a competitive schedule that includes fall tournaments in Ohio, Florida, and North Carolina, in addition to a slate of Pennsylvania dates. The Lions will also face off against non-conference rival Westminster College for the fifth annual Hite Cup, to be played at the prestigious Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier on Tuesday, September 16.

The team's complete 2025-26 schedule is available on www.psaltoonalions.com.

"This is the best schedule in my tenure at Penn State Altoona, as far as the quality of national and regional competition and the courses we are able to compete on. The fact that the program has been elevated to receive invitations to the NCAA Preview, Guilford, Rochester's event at Oak Hill and Camp Lejeune show where we have come from and hopefully where we are going. Pushing ourselves against top 5, 10, and 25 teams on a consistent basis can only make us stronger and prepare us for AMCCs and then hopefully NCAAs in the spring. The more we are in that competitive environment, the better we hopefully perform," said Koehle. "This schedule features Laurel Valley and Oak Hill, sites of past Ryder Cups and PGA Championships. It is exciting to not only coach at these historic courses, but provide our athletes with opportunities to compete at such storied venues. I would put our schedule up against any college in the state of Pennsylvania – regardless of Division – in terms of quality of in division opponents and quality of venues. It speaks to the effort and actions of our current roster and the tradition we have built with quality student-athletes over the past 25 years. The support of our alumni and community only furthers these opportunities."

Koehle also credits assistant coach Adam Landolfi for his work in helping the men's golf program to ascend to the next level.

"The efforts of assistant coach Adam Landolfi cannot be overstated," Koehle said. "He has brought a fresh perspective to our program and furthered our use of technology and statistics to enhance our practice sessions and add focus to our work. He is a great supporter of our athletes and a mentor. He has contributed greatly to the growth of our golfers, on and off the course, and I am excited to continuing to build our future with him."

Koehle is proud of what Penn State Altoona men's golf has achieved in recent years and strives for continued success on a regional and national level. He also appreciates the support of the campus community and beyond in enhancing the program and providing it with the tools to be a regional Division III contender.

"With the support of our administration, alumni, community and friends of the program, we have been able to offer our golf athletes some incredible opportunities and facilities. Having three Foresight simulators on campus a short walk from dorms and increased travel opportunities against the best Division III programs has certainly helped on the recruiting front," he said. "We have been fortunate to add some talented players who are not just great on the course, but in the classroom and in the team room as well. Success breeds success and we have had the right mix of talent and leadership to get us to this point."

Penn State Altoona men's golf opens its 2025-26 schedule this weekend, Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31. On Saturday, the Lions will see split squad action on the road, competing in both the Ted Barclay Invitational at Denison Golf Club and the Pitt-Bradford Invitational at the Pennhills Club. Opening weekend concludes on Sunday with day two of the Barclay Invite.