Lynn University

Team Championships 

Programs with National Championships:

• Baseball (1) - 2009
• Men's Golf (3) - 1996, 2018 & 2019
• Men's Soccer (6) - 1987, 1991, 2003, 2012, 2014 and 2024
• Men's Tennis (1) - 2007
• Women's Golf (5) - 1995, 1996, 1997, 2013 & 2014
• Women's Soccer (4) - 1992, 1994, 1995 & 1998
• Women's Tennis (6) - 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 & 2001
• Women's Volleyball (1) - 2024

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      Highlights from the season:

• The Lynn women's volleyball team went an astonishing 33-3 for the season, bringing home the SSC Conference Championship and South Regional Tournament championship on the path to becoming National Champions.
• The Fighting Knights featured a program record-setting five All-Americans including Maria Cecilia Pinho, Isabella Gentile, Aline Olegario, Samantha Wolf and Hope Passerello.
• The Fighting Knights claimed a league-high nine SSC awards.
• Wolf was named the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Tournament, recording 87 kills and 71 digs in the tournament.
• Head coach Adam Milewski was named the South Region Coach of the Year, leading Lynn to its most successful season in program history and becoming the winningest coach in Fighting Knights history with 181 career wins.

• Lynn went an undefeated 20-0-2, winning the SSC Championship and earning the No. 2-seed in both the NCAA South Regional and the Final Four.
• The Blue and White had the honor of bolstering three All-Americans including standouts Henry Haferkorn, Luca Clavero and Luis Kiefer.
• 11 Fighting Knights were named to All-SSC Teams, dominating the awards.
• Haferkorn was also named the 2024 United Soccer Coaches association Division II Player of the Year and the SSC Defensive Player of the Year.
•  In the best season of his career, head coach John Rootes and his assistant coach Anthony Desperito were named the National Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches association.
• Rootes became the most successful coach in program history with three national titles under his belt (2012, 2014, 2024).

2019: BACK-2-BACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Lynn Men's Golf Tops Lincoln Memorial for NCAA Title

Daniels, W. Va. - A year ago there was suspense on the 18th green for the Lynn University men's golf team.  There was no such uncertainty this season as Jorge Villar tapped in his par to comfortably give Lynn University's men's golf team a 3-2 victory over Lincoln Memorial to claim its second consecutive NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championship.

The win gives the Fighting Knights 25 national championships in school history.  Lynn's men's golf program now has two NCAA titles and three overall (1996 – NAIA).

Highlights from the Season:

• Lynn won five tournaments during the season, giving the program 51 in total.
• Toto Gana was honored as a First Team All-American, becoming the first golfer in program history to collect First Team, Second Team and Freshman All-American honors in a career.
• 12th consecutive year with at least one All-American.
• Nine consecutive seasons with at least two tournament victories.
• Six consecutive seasons with multiple All-SSC selections.
• Giovanni Manzoni and Agustin Errazuriz were named Freshman All-Americans, the third time the program has had mutiple Freshman All-America honorees and first since 2017.
• Gana became the program leader in NCAA National Championship match play victories with seven.
• Head coach Andy Walker became the third coach in school history to win a national title in his first season, joining Shaun Pendleton (Men's Soccer - 1991) and Rocky Orrezoli (Women's Soccer - 1998).
• Walker also won more tournaments than any other first year men's golf coach in school history.

2018: Men's Golf Bustos' a Move to Capture 2018 NCAA Division II National Title

Muscle Shoals, Ala. - Lynn University's fourth-ranked men's golf team had been in this familiar situation all too many times, four to be exact, but this time Carlos Bustos sank the winning putt on the 18^th green to beat top-ranked West Florida 3-2 and secure the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship.  The NCAA title is the first for the men's golf program, and second overall following an NAIA crown in 1996.  Lynn has now won 24 national championships in school history.

The Fighting Knights had previously finished runner-up in 2017, 2015, 2013 and 2011, with the first runner-up finish coming on the same golf course they would win on today, the Robert Trent Jones at the Shoals Fighting Joe course.

A day earlier, Bustos knocked-off First Team All-American Jorge Garcia but on this day, the sophomore out of Santiago, Chile, went toe-to-toe and beat three-time First Team All-American and 2017 National Player of the Year Chandler Blanchet.  Trailing by as many as three, Bustos took a one-shot lead on the 17^th green with a birdie and watched as Blanchet bogeyed 18 to give Lynn the title.

Highlights from the Season:

• The victory was the 46th in the men's golf program's history and 22nd under head coach Andrew Danna.
• Toto Gana and Manuel Torres were named Second Team All-Americans, the fifth consecutive year the program has garnered multiple All-America selections.
• Torres became just the third golfer in program history to be a three-time All-America honoree, joining Daniel Young (2011-13) and Mateo Gomez (2015-17).
• Jorge Villar became the fifth Freshman All-American for Lynn's men's golf program.
• Set the program record for lowest average stroke average (72.45) and lowest team average (285.06)
• Logged the lowest 54-hole total in program history with a score of 826 to win the FAU Spring Championship.
• Eighth consecutive season with at least two tournament wins.

2014: NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! 23 Leads Lynn Men's Soccer to 23rd National Title

Louisville, Ky. – Two goals moments into the match shell shocked the No. 1 team in the nation and Lynn University's third-ranked men's soccer team withstood a late offensive push to defeat Charleston (W.Va.) 3-2 to claim the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship.  This is the 23^rd national title in school history and the fifth for the men's soccer program, including the second national crown in the last three years.

Lynn's men's soccer team has now claimed NCAA titles in 2014, 2012 and 2003 and NAIA crowns in 1991 and 1987 and joins the women's golf team with five total championships.  Both programs trail women's tennis, which has six titles.

Chris Hellmann scored twice, giving him a nation-leading 28 goals and 69 points while adding his 10^th game-winner, in being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Offensive Player.  Jason Sangha was honored as the tournament's Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the second time in his career.  Joining Hellmann and Sangha on the all-tournament team was Nicolas Mortensen and Lukas Zlatarits. Read More

Highlights from the Season:

• Lynn won the Sunshine State Conference regular season & tournament titles en route to claiming the University's 23rd national title, and fifth for the men's soccer program.  This is just the second time a school has claimed the trifecta, joining the 2003 Fighting Knights squad.
• The team went 5-0 against nationally-ranked teams, including wins over the top-ranked Charleston (W.Va.) and No. 2 Young Harris.
• Notched an All-American for the 13th consecutive year and 28th time in 29 seasons.
• Jason Sangha became the second player in school history to honored as a four-time All-American.
• Lynn became the first school in SSC history to earn Player, Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Coach of the Year accolades.
• John Rootes won SSC Coach of the Year honors for the first time in his career.
• Chris Hellmann led the nation in goals (29), goals per game (1.33), points (69) and points per game (3.29) and was tied for second in assists (13).
• Hellmann also finished with the second most goals and points for a single season in Lynn history and the most in NCAA competition in the program's history.

2014: Back-to-Back Champs! Women's Golf Repeats as Division II National Champions

Conover, N.C. – The historic season for Lynn University's women's golf team came full circle on Saturday afternoon following the squad's 29-stroke victory at the Rock Barn Golf & Spa to claim the 2014 NCAA Division II Women's Golf National Championship.  This marks the second consecutive national title and fifth overall for the women's golf program and gives Lynn University 22 national crowns in school history.  Louise Manalo doubled the Fighting Knights' celebration by becoming the program's fifth individual national champion with a 72-hole program record score of 287. Read More

 Highlights from the season:

• Most wins in NCAA Division II history (11).
• Louise Manalo wins individual national championship; fifth women's golfer to win in program history.
• Undefeated against all Division II opponents (107-0).
• Tied Sunshine State Conference record with seven consecutive tournament victories.
• Won program's first ever SSC Championship.
• Jessica Bradley named WGCA National Player of the Year.
• Danny Randolph named WGCA National Coach of the Year.
• Five WGCA All-American Scholars.
• Four WGCA All-Americans.

2013: Victory! Women's Golf Fights to the Finish to Claim NCAA Division II National Championship

Daytona Beach, Fla.- Lynn University's women's golf team captured the 2013 NCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday afternoon, edging four-time defending national champions and top-ranked Nova Southeastern by three strokes with a 1,187 team score in the four-round tournament held at the LPGA International Legends Course.  Lynn shot a 305 on the final day to finish the tournament +35 on the 6,228-yard par-72 course.  This is the second NCAA title for the women's program, and fourth overall, and gives Lynn University 21 national championships in its illustrious history.  Read More.

Highlights from the season:

• Set program record for victories in a season (Six).
• Won first NCAA South Region Tournament in program history.
• Set school record for team 54-hole score (868) at Lady Moc Classic.
• Samantha Smolen set school records for 36-hole scoring.
• Five WGCA All-Americans.
• Five WGCA All-American Scholars.

2012: CHAMPIONS! Men's Soccer Claims 20th National Title in School History

Evans, Ga. – The sting of loss from last year's final has given way to jubilation following Lynn University's 3-2 victory over Saginaw Valley State in the NCAA Division II Championship final, claiming the program's fourth national title and the 20th in school history.  Johnny Mertl and Yannick Braeuer scored first-half goals but it was Anthony Desperito's goal with 20 minutes remaining that allowed the Fighting Knights to hoist the championship trophy. Read More.

Highlights from the Season:

• Won SSC Regular Season Title; giving program 10 and Lynn University 29 overall.
• Posted the highest grade-point average in the nation among all four-year insititutions.
• Went 5-0 against nationally-ranked opponents.
• Notched an All-American for the 11th consecutive year and 26th time in 27 seasons.
• First school in NCAA Division II history with back-to-back Elite 89 Award winners (Martin Wehlert - 2012; Harold Gracholski - 2011).

2009: Baseball Caps Amazing Season with First National Championship

Cary, N.C. - Lynn University's unbelievable run to a national title ended with the program's first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship following a 2-1 victory over Emporia State.  The Fighting Knights went 8-0 in regional and national play, becoming the first school to accomplish that feat since Tampa in 2006.  Tommy Kahnle was named the tournament's most outstanding player after posting a 1-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12.1 innings pitched.  Read more.

 Highlights from the Season:

• Set a school record for wins in a season (46).
• Smashed an additional 14 team and individual records.
• Went 5-0 against Florida Southern.
• Was 25-7 against nationally-ranked teams.
• Dan Wright led Division II in victories while setting school records for wins (15) and strikeouts (119) in a season.
• Wright also became the first pitcher in school history to garner All-America accolades by three publications.
• Gabe MacDougall was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the MLB Amateur Draft.

2007: Men's Tennis Captures First National Title

Altamonte Springs, Fla. - The No. 6 Lynn University men's tennis team took out the No. 5 Valdosta State Blazers 5-1 on Saturday morning at Sanlando Park to claim the program's first national championship. Valdosta State was the defending national champion.  Read more.

 Highlights from the season:

• First men's tennis national championship in school history.
• Dennis Riegraf and Julien Carsuzza became the first doubles team in program history to win the ITA 'Super Bowl.'
• Lorenzo Cava finished the season as the No. 1 ranked singles player in the nation; the first since Ivan Keskinov topped the rankings in 1997.
• Riegraf became the program's leader in career singles victories and became the first player in program history to be named the ITA Regional Senior Player of the Year.
• Head coach Mike Perez was honored as the ITA National Coach of the Year on the men's side for the first time.

2003: Men's Soccer Wins Third National Title in Near Perfect Season

Virginia Beach, Va. - Freshman Leon Jackson scored the first goal of his collegiate career on Sunday, tallying in the 80^th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock and propel Lynn University to a 2-1 victory over Cal-Chico giving the Fighting Knights the 2003 Division II Men's Soccer National Championship.

The national title is LU's first in NCAA men's soccer and the school's 6^th NCAA title of all time.  The men's soccer program had previously claimed NAIA titles in 1987 and 1991, two of the 17 all-around national championships Lynn University owns.  The victory also gave the Sunshine State Conference, the league LU joined in 1997, its 56^th National title of all time.  Read more.

 Highlights of the Season:

• Claimed both SSC Regular Season and Championship titles.
• Gareth Dunn and Finn  Tomulevski were selected to the SSC Silver Anniversary Team.
• Ross Lumsden was named the NSCAA National Player of the Year and SSC Defensive Player of the Year.
• Posted the third undefeated season in program history.

2001: Lynn Women's Tennis Collects Third National Title in Five Years

Looking to redeem itself from a mid-season loss, Lynn University's women's tennis team took down BYU-Hawaii by a score of 5-3 to win the program's sixth national championship and the University's 16th overall.

 Highlights from the season:

• Went a perfect 6-0 in league play for the third straight season to win their third consecutive SSC Championship.
• Posted the program's seventh 20-win season.
• Knocked off previously undefeated and two-time national champion BYU-Hawaii.

1998: Women's Soccer Claims NCAA National Title on Third Try

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Two consecutive years of heartache was released following Lynn University's 3-1 victory over Sonoma State to claim the 1998 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Championship.  The Fighting Knights had previously lost in the finals in 1996 and semifinals in 1997.  The championship is the fourth in program history and 15th for Lynn overall.

• Won the first Sunshine State Conference title in school history.
• Jannie Nicolaisen was named the NSCAA National Player of the Year.
• Went undefeated against all NCAA Division II opponents; only loss came to Division I Penn State.
• Ninth consecutive season with at least 11 shutouts.
• Tied for the fewest goals allowed in a single season in program history.

The Lynn University women's tennis team won their second consecutive NCAA Division II national championship following the second perfect season in program history.  Competing in the NCAA for just the second season, this also marked the fourth straight national title for the program, including two crowns at the NAIA level.

Highlights from the season:

• Posted the second perfect season in program history.
• Mike Perez collects first SSC Coach of the Year accolade in program history.
• Lost only 22 points in 20 matches.

1997: Women's Golf Joins Three-Peat Club

Orlando, Fla. - Lynn University's women's golf team recorded the second national championship three-peat of the year after claiming the 1997 NCAA Division II/III National Championship.  The Fighting Knights took top honors in 1995 & 1996 at the NAIA level and earned the top prize in their first year of NCAA eligibility.  Zoe Grimbeek also repated as individual national champion, the fourth individual title in the last five years for Lynn.

 Highlights of the Season:

• Won a total of three tournaments on the season.
• Zoe Grimbeek became the first to win an individual and team national championship in the same season in NCAA Division II/III history.
• Fighting Knights had three All-America selections

1997: Women's Tennis Welcomes Lynn to NCAA With a National Title

Lynn University made its prescence known in its first year of NCAA Division II championship eligibilty.  The Fighting Knights reached the national semifinals in men's soccer and men's basketball, was a national runner-up in women's soccer and now can add national champions for women's tennis.  This is the third consecutive national title for the women's program having won NAIA championships in 1996 and 1995.  Lynn logged only one loss during the season, which it avenged by knocking of Armstrong Atlantic 5-4 in the finals.

 Highlights from the season:

• Recorded five All-America selections in singles and doubles
• Katerina Koldova went a perfect 21-0 in singles play, posting the best single-season winning percentage in program history.

1996: Women's Golf Leaves NAIA as National Champions

Tulsa, Okla. - Lynn University's women's golf team heads to NCAA competition next season but took a partying gift before heading out, claiming its second consecutive NAIA National Championship as well and back-to-back individual titles.  The Fighting Knights posted the lowest 54-hole total in NAIA history.

 Highlights from the season:

• Recorded the lowest total 54-hole tournament score in NAIA history with a 953).
• Gregg Cox was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Zoe Grimbeek claimed the individual national title to give Lynn back-to-back winners for the first time in NAIA history.
• Won two tournaments during the season.

1996: Women's Tennis Goes Back-to-Back as NAIA Champions

Tulsa, Okla. - Lynn University's women's tennis team claimed its second straight NAIA national championship and third in the last five years by taking the overall point total 35-31 over Mobile (Ala.).  The Fighting Knights three titles were second only to Flagler, which had won five straight from 1987-91.

 Highlights from the season:

• Mike Perez named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Second consecutive national title and third in four years.
• Four starters garnered NAIA First Team All-America honors.

1996: Men's Golf Claims First National Title by One Stroke

Tulsa, Okla. - The 1996 NAIA Men's Golf National Championship came down to the wire but in the end, Lynn University emerged with its first men's golf national title.  The Fighting Knights earned a one-stroke victory over Berry, marking the second consecutive year the championship was decided by one shot and fourth time overall.

 Highlights from the season:

• Won three tournaments including NAIA Southeast Regionals.
• Head coach Eric Abreu named National Coach of the Year.
• Two NAIA All-Americans (Andrew Farmer & Marc Grinberg).

1995: Women's Soccer Wins Back-to-Back Titles

Mount Berry, Ga. - Lynn University's title defense ended the way it started: on top.  The Fighting Knights knocked off Lindenwood 4-1 to win the program's second consecutive national championship and third overall.  Hanne Nissen completed her incredible career with over 200 points in just two years.

 Highlights from the season:

• Hanne Nissen records most assists in NAIA Tournament history (5).
• Lene Tarp named NAIA Most Valuable Player.
• Jim Blankenship named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Cindy Marcial, Hanne Nissen, Nicki Sellas and Lene Terp named to the NAIA All-Tournament team.
• Cindy Marcial, Hanne Nissen, Lene Terp and Adele Talamo named NAIA All-Americans.
• Hanne Nissen and Lene Terp named NSCAA 1st Team All-Americans.
• Women's soccer team sets NAIA record for unbeaten streak (48), goals (160) and assists (154).

1995: Women's Golf Claims Inaugural NAIA Team National Championship

Dakota Dunes, S.D. - Lynn University's women's golf team won the inaugural National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Women's Golf National Championship by 29 strokes over Hardin-Simmons (Texas).  Josefin Stalvant took top honors individually, marking the second individual women's golf title for a Fighting Knight.

 Highlights of the season:

• Gregg Cox named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Josefin Stalvant shoots lowest 54-hole national championship score in NAIA history (228).
• Anna Egertz and Josefin Stalvant named NAIA All-Americans.

1995: National Champions Again! Women's Tennis Collects Second Title

Tulsa, Okla. - Despite one loss on the season, Lynn University's women's tennis team was able to hold off a charge by Mobile (Ala.) to collect the second national title in program history.  The Fighting Knights held onto a 34-32 point advantage, tying the second-closest margin of victory in NAIA history.

 Highlights of the season:

• Mike Perez named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Petra Stankova named Marvin P. Richmond Outstanding Player.
• Petra Stankova collects 27 singles victories; 2nd most in program history.
• Ali Peshkin, Mischa Peterova, Petra Stankova and Cristina Cavina named NAIA All-Americans.

1994: Unconquered and Unbeaten! Women's Soccer Dominates for Second National Title

Mount Berry, Ga. - Lynn University's women's soccer team capped off the first unbeaten season in school history with a 3-1 victory over Park to claim the NAIA National Championship.  Already the owner of the greatest individual season in NAIA history, Hanne Nissen was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player

 Highlights from the season:

• Hanne Nissen records an NAIA record 103 points and 29 assists.
• Women's Soccer sets NAIA record with 147 goals.
• Hanne Nissen named Most Valuable Player.
• Jim Blankenship named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Cindy Marcial, Hanne Nissen and Joyce Parson-Roth named both NAIA and NSCAA 1st Team All-Americans.

1993: Women's Tennis Perfect in Winning First National Championship

Overland Park, Kans. - Lynn University's women's tennis team rode the curtails of four All-Americans, including individual national champion Cristina Cavina, to secure the program's first perfect season and the 1993 NAIA National Championship.  This is the first national title in program history and fourth for Lynn University.

 Highlights from the season:

• First undefeated season in program history.
• Cristina Cavina became the first individual national champion in school history.
• Cristina Cavina, Claudia Lipitch, Federica Lentini, Mischa Peterova and Petra Stankova were named NAIA All-Americans.
• Mike Perez named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Petra Stankova posted the first perfect singles season in program history (19-0).
• Mischa Peterova and Petra Stankova formed the top doubles team in program history (18-0).

1992: Women's Soccer Breaks Through for First National Crown

Tacoma, Wash. - Just seven years after the creation of the women's soccer program, Lynn University is on top as NAIA National Champions.  The Fighting Knights knocked off the defending title-holders Pacific Lutheran 1-0 to collect the first national crown in program history and third overall for Lynn.  Dorte Nielsen was honored as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

 Highlights of the season:

• Joyce Parston-Roth, Lene Hansen and Dorte Nielson were named NAIA All-Americans.
• Lene Hansen, Dorte Nielson and Cindy Marcial honored as NAIA All-Americans.
• Recorded first 20-win season in school history.

1991: Men's Soccer National Champions Once Again

Boca Raton, Fla. - Lynn University's men's soccer team was able to hoist the program's second NAIA National Championship in front of the home crowd with a 2-1 overtime victory against Midwestern State following two consecutive years of coming up just short.  Lenin Steenkamp earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player accolades in head coach Shaun Pendleton's first season.

 Highlights of the season:

• Lenin Steenkamp and Darren Read named NAIA All-Americans.
• Lenin Steenkamp named a NSCAA First Team All-American while Neathan Gibson was a Third Team selection.
• Team recorded the second unbeaten season (22-0-2) in program history.
• Shaun Pendleton was named NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Shaun Pendleton named NAIA National Coach of the Year.

1987: Men's Soccer Wins Boca Raton's First National Championship

Lynn University's championship success started in 1987 at the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship in Wichita Falls, Texas.  Known then as the College of Boca Raton, the men's soccer team defeated Simon Fraser (B.C.) 1-0 in overtime, starting an athletic dominance that has spanned seven sports to date.

 Highlights from the season:

• Head Coach Roy Wiggemansen  was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year.
• Darek Backman, Darrin Kelly and Mark Vermuelen were named NSCAA All-Americans.
• Mark Vemeulen, Michael Araujo and Euclides De Gouvia were honored as NAIA All-Americans.

Relay National Champion - 1

2023-24: Women's Swimming 200 Medley Relay

Lynn University's 200 medley relay team of  junior Laura Dekoninck, sophomore Malaika Schneider, graduate student Luna Mertins and freshman Lexi Lundell captured the program's first-ever relay National Title at 1:40.14. They entered the event with the NCAA's second-fastest time of 1:40.53. 

The Lynn University women's swimming team set a program record with a fifth place finish at the five-day 2024 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships.

Individual National Champions - 16