WHEELING – The first state championships of 2025 will be earned this week as the WVSSAC state golf tournament tees off on Tuesday and Wednesday from the Jones Course at Olgebay Golf Resort in Wheeling.
Morgantown, University, Preston, and Clay-Battelle will all be represented in the field during the multi-round tournament. The Mohigans and Hawks each qualified as teams of four after placing in the top four of the Class AAAA North Regional Tournament team standings.
MHS will send senior Camden Kellogg, sophomores Angela Yao and Brody Williams, and freshman Brody Lemon to the tee in Wheeling.
“This season’s been a learning experience for our team. We’re fairly young and full of potential,” MHS coach Christian Root said. “We’ve traveled all over the state and played against everyone, it seems, and we’ve held our own for being a young team. I’ve been really pleased with how our mindset on the course has grown. We’re trying to eliminate the big mistakes and play a complete round of golf from start to finish.”
UHS will have seniors Owen Estel and juniors Will Biddington, Jagger Barnes, and Evan Toler in the field on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I think our greatest strength is that, for the most part, our kids do not give up easily,” UHS coach Barry Kolar said. “We’ve played several close matches this season, and I think the players are beginning to understand that one shot can make a difference. The Jones Course can be pretty challenging, depending on pin placements, the speed of the greens, and weather conditions. This is our third consecutive year to earn a berth at the State Tournament, so we’re expecting to play a very challenging course. “
Clay-Battelle and Preston will be represented by individual golfers who qualified through their placing in the regional tournaments.
Preston’s Robbie Lowe shot +2 (74) to place tied for third and earn his spot in the Class AAAA field this week in Wheeling. Clay-Battelle’s Ryan Parker shot +15 (87) in the Class A North Regional Tournament, finishing in fifth place and earning a spot in the state tournament.
“Ryan has been fairly consistent all season, and he is starting to peak at the right time,” C-B coach Josh Kisner said. “He is only the third golfer to ever qualify for the state tournament in school history, and the first to do it twice in a row. We have set some goals for this tournament and want him to enjoy the experience.”
SUBHEAD: TEE TIMES
MHS: Lemon (9:17 am)/Williams (9:26 am)/Kellogg (9:35 am)/Yao (9:44 am)
UHS: Barnes (9:17 am)/Toler (9:26 am)/Biddington (9:35 am)/Estel (9:44 am)
PHS: Lowe (8:23 am)
C-B: Parker (12:15 pm)
