GREENVILLE, S.C. | The Young Harris College men's and women's golf teams have been picked to finish sixth and 10th, respectively, in the 2025 Conference Carolinas Preseason Polls.  

Men's Golf

The Mountain Lions are aiming for a strong 2025 season under the guidance of Director of Golf John Lichtenwalner, entering the spring ranked sixth in the preseason poll with 43 points. After finishing seventh at last year's Conference Carolinas Championship, YHC looks to climb the leaderboard this season. 

Senior John McCracken, from Troon, Scotland, showed consistent improvement in the fall and appears ready to take the next step this spring. Fellow senior Will Ranieri, from Snellville, Georgia, has also made strides and is poised for a breakout final season. Meanwhile, standout senior Ruben Lindstrom of Stockholm, Sweden, brings an impressive list of accolades—including 2024 Conference Carolinas Men's Golfer of the Week and multiple academic honors—into the championship portion of the season. 

Barton College, the two-time defending champions, topped the men's poll with 80 points and eight first-place votes. 

Women's Golf

The Mountain Lions Women's Golf team enters the 2025 season ranked 10th in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll as they aim to make strides under Director of Golf John Lichtenwalner. With a determined roster, YHC looks to improve upon last year's campaign and make an impact in the spring season. 

Leading the way are key players to watch, including junior Tamara Brito from Las Palmas, Spain, who earned 2024 Conference Carolinas Women's Golfer of the Week honors, a Mountain Lion of the Week nod for her first-place finish at the Converse Fall Invitational, and multiple academic accolades. Junior Lucy Weigert of Cochran, Georgia, also returns after a stellar 2024 season, highlighted by a WGCA All-American Scholar award and First Team All-Conference honors. Senior Connor Johnson from Dalton, Georgia, adds experience to the lineup with her WGCA All-American Scholar recognition and Third Team All-Conference honors last year. 

Erskine College was voted to win the conference, earning 97 votes.