Men's Golf | November 14
DeKALB, IL – Northern Illinois University head men's golf coach
John Carlson announced on Friday two signings for the program for the 2026-27 season which includes the #1 player in the state of Illinois for this class by Rolex AJGA and Junior Golf Scoreboard.
Caden Petersen (Naperville, Ill.) played his senior season at Benet Academy after his family moved from Arizona in the summer of 2025. He tied for fifth individually at the IHSA Class 3A State Championship this fall at even par. Petersen won the East Suburban Catholic Championship with a two-under par 69 and broke Benet's single-round scoring record with a seven-under par 65 to win the Hinsdale Central Invitational. He was a part of Notre Dame Prep's Arizona state championship team in 2024 and state runner-up teams in 2023 and 2022.
"Caden is the #1 ranked player in Illinois for the class of 2026 by Rolex AJGA and Junior Golf Scoreboard," said Carlson. "He is another high level recruit to come into our program from TPS Academy. Caden's a complete player and a 10 out of 10 as a student-athlete at Benet Academy."
Gastrau comes to DeKalb from St. Gallen, Switzerland. This past summer he was the medalist at the USGA Junior Amateur at The Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove, Wis. with an eight-under 63, winning by five strokes. Gastrau also won the WPGA Junior Tour Championship with a 54-hole score of seven-under par 209. His international experience stretches to tournaments from Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, Italy and his native Switzerland as well as the United States.
"Finley brings extensive experience from the international tournament scene," Carlson said. "He competes primarily in Wisconsin during the summer season and chose NIU over multiple Power Four programs, showing his strong belief in the Huskie vision and culture. Finley is a high-character student-athlete who has excelled within Switzerland's rigorous academic system."
NIU begins its spring season at the Lake Las Vegas Invitational on Feb. 26-28 at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, Nev.
--NIU--
