LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. — Max Thomas, Gabriel Smith, Zach Mate and Mason Benbrook were all named to the 2026 all-Big Sky men's golf teams, it was announced today. The top five golfers based on national rankings were named to the first team while the next five were placed on the second team.
 
Thomas led Sacramento State with a scoring average of 71.22 during the regular season. The sophomore's average is currently the second-best in program history, trailing only Ethan Davidson's school record of 71.18 from 2021-22. Thomas has a pair of top-five finishes, tying for second at the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate and tying for third at the El Macero Classic. He has played in all nine tournaments this year and has been at or below par in 15 of his last 24 rounds. The Rocklin, Calif., native has shot in the 60s this season 10 times which is tied for the most in school single-season history.
 
Smith has averaged 72.96 in 27 total rounds. He began the year with a ninth-place showing at the Ram Masters where he shot a season-best 68 in the first round. He has 10 rounds of par or better during the season and has at least one below-par round in six of the team's nine tournaments.
 
Mate ranked third on the team with a scoring average if 73.17 in 24 rounds. He was in the lineup in seven tournaments this season and tied for 10^th at the Bandon Dunes Championship for his top finish. The senior had a low of 68 at the Nick Watney Invitational and Bandon Dunes Championship for his season bests.
 
Benbrook, who joined the program this season, averaged 73.33 in six tournaments. He tied for fifth place at the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational where he carded three rounds at or below par, including a season-best 68 in the second round.
 
Sacramento State will next play at the Big Sky Championships at Wigwam Golf Resort beginning on Monday. The winning team in the three-day, three-round tournament will earn an automatic berth to an NCAA Regional. The Hornets have previously won the league title in 1996, 1997, 2017, 2021 and 2024.
 
2025-26 Men's Golf All-Big Sky Conference Teams
Player of the Year: Josh McCartain, Idaho
Freshman of the Year: Cal Anderson, Eastern Washington 
 
First Team All-Conference
Josh McCartain, Idaho
Max Thomas, Sacramento State
Kaelen Dulany, Northern Colorado
Samuel Johnson, Idaho
Matthew Wilson, Weber State
 
Second Team All-Conference
Leander Neuhaus, Franics Marion
Cooper Tate, Northern Colorado
Hogan Park, Eastern Washington
Gabriel Smith, Sacramento State
Dalton Dean, Idaho
 
All-Conference Honorable Mention 
Zach Mate, Sacramento State
Cal Anderson, Eastern Washington
Mason Benbrook, Sacramento State
Joe Sykes, Idaho
Ty Anderson, Weber State