Wayne State University Athletics

Julian and Lahner will be back for their redshirt sophomore and senior seasons, respectively, this fall.

Men's Golf 5/24/2026 9:00:00 AM Cooper Weidenthaler, Assistant Director for Media Relations

Wayne State's Julian and Lahner Star in Local Tournaments

DETROIT -- Jack Julian (South Lyon, Mich.) and Josh Lahner (Roselle, Ill. / Lake Park) of the Wayne State University men's golf team continued to compete at a high level despite the 2025-26 school year coming to a close earlier this month.

Julian won the Michigan Publinx Golf Association (MPGA) Medal Play Championship on Sunday, May 17, at Pheasant Run Golf Club in Canton, Mich., with a 13-under 54-hole score. Lahner garnered Medalist Honors at a local U.S. Open qualifier on Monday, May 4, after posting a one-under 69 at Plum Hollow Country Club in Southfield, Mich.

Julian made nine birdies and zero bogeys to his final 27 holes last Sunday. It was his first Michigan Publinx title. His total score of 203 was seven shots better than second place Sean Friel (six-under 210), who was formerly a collegiate golfer himself at Michigan State University.

"It feels amazing," Julian said to The Oakland Press following the victory. "I do not really know how to feel right now, honestly. It still feels crazy that it happened."

"This was a huge step for me in my golf career," Julian continued. "I have had multiple junior golf wins in the past, but this was my biggest tournament win by far! My golf game over the last couple months has felt the best it has ever been, and this tournament was just a result of everything finally coming together. Getting to play in the Michigan PGA Tournament of Champions for the next 25 years is super special and will make me remember this win for the rest of my life. I am really excited to see what comes next for me and figure out what I can do to replicate this kind of performance in the coming fall season!"

Lahner's aforementioned one-under 69 for his event was not only the best of anyone in the field, but made him the only competitor to shoot under par for the entire event. His round began with a two-over 37 on the front nine, before tallying three birdies, with no bogeys, on his back nine for a three-under 32 to get him to his final tally.

Lahner was one of five players that advanced to the next stage of qualifying for the U.S. Open.

"For me, making sectionals was a milestone that I thought I would never accomplish," said Lahner about his triumph. During my round, I was very relaxed -- almost like I knew I was going to make it. I have put in a lot of hard work over the past year to try and get my game into shape to be able to compete in tournaments like this, and I finally have an opportunity to take that next step. I am going to try my best to make the U.S. Open and never count me out."

Julian, Lahner, and the rest of the Wayne State University men's golf squad finished its 2025-26 back on May 7-9 with a 12th-place effort (of 20) at the NCAA Midwest/Central Super Regional. The fall season for 2026-27 is next on the docket for the team.

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Players Mentioned

Jack Julian: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Josh Lahner: 6' 1"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Jack Julian
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Josh Lahner
: 6' 1"; Junior