ST. PAUL, Minn. – Kaden Burshiem of the University of Minnesota Morris men's golf team was named Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Rookie of the Year, while Paxton Sivonen earned UMAC All-Conference honors, as announced Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Along with being named Rookie of the Year, Burshiem earned a spot on the UMAC All-Conference First Team. In his first season with Minnesota Morris, he averaged 76.8 strokes per 18 holes, the ninth-best average in the conference. At the Cougar Invite, Burshiem shot a 67 (-3) to win the event and record the lowest round in the conference all season.

Burshiem became the first Cougar to earn UMAC All-Conference First Team honors since the 2022 season and the first Minnesota Morris golfer to be named UMAC Rookie of the Year since 2018.

Sivonen earned UMAC All-Conference Honorable Mention honors after his first season with Minnesota Morris. The International Falls, Minn., native ranked second on the team with an average of 79.0 strokes per round. Sivonen's best round came at the Cougar Invite, where he carded a 74 (+4). He wrapped up the season by leading the Cougars at the UMAC Championship, placing fifth.

As a team, the Cougars earned the UMAC Team Sportsmanship Award. Selected by UMAC coaches, the award recognizes the team that best represents sportsmanship throughout the season, including the championship event.

Nick Thompson was named to the UMAC All-Sportsmanship Team.