Michael Wetrich, head coach of the top-ranked Indian Hills men's golf team, is in the running for one of junior college golf's highest honors. The NJCAA announced Monday night that Wetrich has been named a finalist for the 2026 Division I Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award, a recognition that celebrates excellence both on and off the course.
Wetrich is among just four finalists for the prestigious award, joining Daniel Allen of Central Alabama Community College, Conrado Cabezas of Eastern Arizona College, and Vince Clark of McLennan Community College. The announcement came during the NJCAA Men's Golf National Tournament Pre-Championship banquet, setting the stage for an exciting week ahead.
Now in his fifth season leading the Warriors, Wetrich has built a powerhouse program that has held the No. 1 national ranking in every Scoreboard Powered by Clippd poll this year. The team has also topped the Golf Coaches Association of America national rankings throughout the spring campaign, cementing their status as the team to beat.
The Warriors are riding a wave of momentum after capturing the program's 14th NJCAA District Championship in convincing style. Indian Hills won the Central District title by a staggering 28 strokes, adding to an impressive haul of five team championships this season. It's the kind of dominance that defines championship-caliber programs.
This isn't unfamiliar territory for Wetrich. He previously guided the Warriors to the 2023 NJCAA Division I Men's Golf National Championship in his first full season, earning the Dave Williams National Coach of the Year award that same year. He's also been recognized as the NJCAA Central District Coach of the Year in both 2024 and 2026, proving his sustained excellence.
The individual talent on this team is equally impressive. Four Warriors earned spots on the NJCAA Division I Men's Golf PING All-District Team: sophomores Charlie Preston and Nathan Pouchoulon, alongside freshmen Miles Bollinger and Harry McArdle. They represent four of the ten Central District selections, underscoring the depth of the Indian Hills roster.
Preston, an All-American as a freshman, has been particularly outstanding. He currently ranks as the No. 2 individual in the nation after a dominant sophomore campaign that included winning the NJCAA Central District Championship with a 13-under-par 203—tied for the third-lowest 54-hole total in program history. He's posted seven top-10 finishes this season, including three top-three performances.
Pouchoulon has been equally vital, ranking No. 11 nationally with six top-10 finishes, including a 10th-place showing. Together, this group has helped Indian Hills win five tournament titles during the 2025-26 campaign.
The Warriors now turn their focus to the national championship, which begins Tuesday morning at Sand Creek Golf Station. As the No. 1 team in the nation, they'll look to add another chapter to their remarkable season—and perhaps bring home some hardware for their coach.