Dylan Stegen commits golf talent to Upper Iowa University ...

Waukon High School senior Dylan Stegen signed his official commitment to play golf for Upper Iowa University in Fayette at a Thursday morning, March 26 signing event in the Waukon High School gym. Pictured in the photo at right submitted by Waukon High School from that signing event, seated in the front row, is Dylan (center) with his parents, Jenny (left) and Lee (right). Standing in the back row, left to right, are Dylan’s brother Vaughn and sister Grace, with older brother Connor also making an appearance by FaceTime at one point during the signing event.

“Upper Iowa University is a Division II school, and I wanted an opportunity to compete at that level,” Stegen said of making his decision to attend Upper Iowa and play golf for the Peacocks. “The head coach, Mike Lewis, has shown an interest in me for some time, and he has been very helpful and supportive throughout the recruiting process. I really liked the campus and the great practice facility at Upper Iowa. The small class size and six-session academic calendar at UIU also appealed to me. It will allow me to focus on school work and balance golf.”

Stegen has been the scoring leader for the Waukon boys golf team in each of his three high school seasons thus far, playing to All-Conference honors in each of those three seasons as well, with his senior season for the golf Tribe just getting underway with its first competition this week. He also golfed his way to a Class 2A Sectional Tournament individual title last spring in leading the Indians to their first District Tournament qualification in quite a few years, and he is certainly aware that although the skills and leadership he has shown have provided him with this opportunity to play at the next level, that advancement will also mean having to establish himself within a new program, an opportunity he says he looks forward to as well.

“I am aware there will be a learning curve as I participate at the next level, and I look forward to the opportunity to improve my game and improve alongside my new teammates,” Stegen noted. “It will be challenging, but Coach Lewis has told me I’ll have a chance to compete for competition opportunities. When I was researching my choice, I reached out to a former UIU player, and he gave Coach Lewis and the entire program a great review.”

Stegen said he intends to major in Biology on a Pre-Dentistry track at Upper Iowa University. He said Luther College in Decorah and Wartburg College in Waverly were also within his consideration as they pursued him to also join their respective golf programs. “I strongly considered Division III programs Luther and Wartburg before ultimately choosing Upper Iowa,” Stegen explained. “They were both excellent schools with great academics and golf programs, but it really came down to me wanting the opportunity to compete at the Division II level.”

With his decision now made regarding the next chapter of his future, Stegen says he can turn his focus toward the final season of his high school career to make the most of his senior season with the Indians. “Now that I have chosen Upper Iowa, I can focus on being as successful as possible in my senior golf season,” he finalized. “I want to thank my family, friends, and coaches who have supported my golf journey, and I look forward to the next chapter. Go Indians and Go Peacocks!”