UT Martin Adds Lucas Herring To 2025-26 Roster
6/24/2025 10:01:00 AM | Golf
MARTIN, Tenn. – University of Tennessee at Martin head golf coach Austin Swafford has announced the signing of sophomore Lucas Herring to the Skyhawk program.
A Nashville, Tenn. product, Herring was part of the NCAA Division III national championship squad last season at Methodist University, located in Fayetteville, NC. It marked the program's 15th national championship and first time that the school had won back-to-back titles since 1998-99.
"We are excited to welcome Lucas back to Tennessee to continue his collegiate career," Swafford said. "Lucas gained invaluable experience as part of a championship team last season and we look for him to come in and compete for a starting spot right away."
Playing under head coach Steve Conley, Herring was responsible for a 72.5 stroke average over eight rounds as a freshman last season. Five of those eight rounds were played at par or better, including a career-best 70 on two separate occasions. He claimed medalist honors at the 2025 Manor Spring Invitational on March 15-16 in Farmville, Va., carding a 145 (70-75) before winning a three-hole playoff with an eagle to top the field of 36 golfers.
Herring won USA South Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week accolades twice (Oct. 2 and March 19) in 2024-25 as the Monarchs brought home the 35th conference championship in school history.
Prepping at Ensworth School for head coach Nate Parrish, Herring helped the Tigers to an 11-stroke triumph at the 2022 TSSAA Division II-AA championship. His decorated senior season included a victory at the Ensworth Invitational (69, -3) and an all-tournament mention at the Baylor Preview event held in August 2023, carding a 71 (-1) to finish third overall. As a senior, he notched two wins and a runner-up finish before completing his senior campaign at the High School National Championship in Frisco, Texas, shooting 1-under par (73-69-73) to place 25th in the 200-man field featuring players from across the country.
Herring placed ninth at the Hermitage event on the SNEDS Tour Elite Series and also added a top-10 effort at the Belle Meade Junior Invitational. He shot a career-best 67 on the SNEDS Tour Elite Series at the Tennessee National Golf Club on the way to a 5-under performance. He also advanced to the semifinals of match play in the 100th playing of the School Days Tournament hosted by the Tennessean.
This week, Herring will take part in the Tennessee State Amateur held at Holston Hills. He has also served as the captain of the Tennessee Cup, a fundraiser tournament through AJGA for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Herring joins freshmen Ian Lambert (Jackson, Mo.) and Bryce Harmon (Knoxville, Tenn.) in the Skyhawks' incoming class for 2025-26.
A Nashville, Tenn. product, Herring was part of the NCAA Division III national championship squad last season at Methodist University, located in Fayetteville, NC. It marked the program's 15th national championship and first time that the school had won back-to-back titles since 1998-99.
"We are excited to welcome Lucas back to Tennessee to continue his collegiate career," Swafford said. "Lucas gained invaluable experience as part of a championship team last season and we look for him to come in and compete for a starting spot right away."
Playing under head coach Steve Conley, Herring was responsible for a 72.5 stroke average over eight rounds as a freshman last season. Five of those eight rounds were played at par or better, including a career-best 70 on two separate occasions. He claimed medalist honors at the 2025 Manor Spring Invitational on March 15-16 in Farmville, Va., carding a 145 (70-75) before winning a three-hole playoff with an eagle to top the field of 36 golfers.
Herring won USA South Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week accolades twice (Oct. 2 and March 19) in 2024-25 as the Monarchs brought home the 35th conference championship in school history.
Prepping at Ensworth School for head coach Nate Parrish, Herring helped the Tigers to an 11-stroke triumph at the 2022 TSSAA Division II-AA championship. His decorated senior season included a victory at the Ensworth Invitational (69, -3) and an all-tournament mention at the Baylor Preview event held in August 2023, carding a 71 (-1) to finish third overall. As a senior, he notched two wins and a runner-up finish before completing his senior campaign at the High School National Championship in Frisco, Texas, shooting 1-under par (73-69-73) to place 25th in the 200-man field featuring players from across the country.
Herring placed ninth at the Hermitage event on the SNEDS Tour Elite Series and also added a top-10 effort at the Belle Meade Junior Invitational. He shot a career-best 67 on the SNEDS Tour Elite Series at the Tennessee National Golf Club on the way to a 5-under performance. He also advanced to the semifinals of match play in the 100th playing of the School Days Tournament hosted by the Tennessean.
This week, Herring will take part in the Tennessee State Amateur held at Holston Hills. He has also served as the captain of the Tennessee Cup, a fundraiser tournament through AJGA for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Herring joins freshmen Ian Lambert (Jackson, Mo.) and Bryce Harmon (Knoxville, Tenn.) in the Skyhawks' incoming class for 2025-26.
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