The Valparaiso University men’s golf team has added yet another individual who fits the program’s culture of excellence both on the course and in the classroom as Caleb VanArragon (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine) inked his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday.

VanArragon, who will join the program for the 2019-2020 season, will bring a lengthy and impressive resume with him to Valpo as a two-time Northwestern Suburban Conference Champion, a two-time Section 5AAA Champion and the 2018 Minnesota state junior boys championship winner. He also won the 2017 Minnesota Junior PGA title, placed 10^th at the 2018 Minnesota State Open and was the runner-up at the 2018 Minnesota Public Links Championship.

“Caleb is a gifted student-athlete who comes to our program with a tremendous track record of victories in golf tournaments along with an impressive resume of high school accomplishments and grades in the classroom,” Valpo head coach Dave Gring said. “I've enjoyed getting to know Caleb through our recruiting process and he comes from a wonderful family that provides an immense amount of support to him. His performance over the high school years truly speaks for itself. His teachers, swing coach, high school coach and more have had a profound influence on him. I know that he comes to us well-prepared and hungry to take the next step both academically and athletically.”

Ranked the No. 1 high school golfer in Minnesota at the end of the 2018 season, VanArragon was the 2018 Minnesota Golf Association Junior Player of the Year. His 18-hole career low of 63 first occurred at the TPC Invitational in 2017, when he shattered the Minnesota state high school scoring record. He equaled his career watermark at the 2017 AJGA Otter Creek Junior Championship.

“This young man loves to win and he always has a great attitude,” Gring said. “Caleb’s strengths on the golf course are in his short game and putting – he possesses terrific feel around the green and speed with his putts. He has a very athletic swing, a strong iron game and his accuracy off the tee is exceptional. His work ethic is phenomenal, indicative of the victories that he has achieved in many noteworthy tournaments.”    

In the classroom, VanArragon boasts a 4.24 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. That allows him to rank third in a senior class of 730. VanArragon is a member of National Honor Society, the math team, the student newspaper and the knowledge bowl team at Blaine High School.

“The team identity that has been portrayed by our players is one of integrity, victories on the golf course and a high-level of performance and results in the classroom,” Gring said. “Our team has won championships on the golf course and in the classroom over the years and Caleb will be an integral part of advancing this continued pursuit during his college career. We are thrilled to have him join the Valpo Family and watch him grow during his years here at Valparaiso University.”