MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It was a bit of normalcy, yet under surreal circumstances. In the first WVSSAC-sanctioned sporting event in Monongalia County since early March, golfers from Preston, Morgantown, University and Bridgeport played the front-9 at Mountainview Course in Cheat Lake on Wednesday evening.
On March 10, the UHS boys’ basketball team crushed John Marshall to win the Region I co-championship, but just two days later, the sports world shut down not only at the local and state level, but nationally. The Hawks weren’t able to aim for a repeat of the state title, while the UHS girls’ hoops team was in Charleston awaiting to play in the state semifinal when the news came.
COVID-19 put sports to a complete halt in West Virginia for nearly three months, canceling all spring competitions before they got started. On June 8, athletes were allowed to work out and condition together for the first time, followed by the three-week summer workouts in mid- to late-July.
While the virus threatens the fall season, especially in Mon County, practices and camps were allowed to begin Monday for all sports, with games scheduled to begin Sept. 2 for soccer, volleyball, cross-country and football.
The only sport allowed to begin prior was golf, which started in full swing this week, but with caveats that will be seen across all sports when the time comes. Golf naturally lends itself to social-distancing, but competitors and coaches Wednesday donned masks when in groups and social distancing was not possible.
In the end, UHS won its first home match of the season with a team total of 177. The Mohigans were second at 187, the Indians third at 191 and the Knights fourth at 218.
The Hawks were led by Alex Solomon, who shot an impressive 39 on the Par 36 to become the individual medalist. Teammate Jack Giobbia was second with a score of 40.
MHS’s Connor Decker shot a 45 to lead the Mohigans, while Preston’s Briar Manko also shot a 45 to lead the Knights
Preston 218
Briar Manko 45
Chayce Andrew 51
Preston Stithem 63
Gavin Garlits 59
Nick Forman 67
Clayton Lansberry 70
MHS 187
Connor Decker 45
Ethan Wise 47
Owen Newbold 51
Alec Poland 51
Isabella Ferrell 49
Braxton Martucci 46
Bridgeport 191
Josh Gervais 42
Drew Hogue 51
Conner Messe 49
Mitchell Duez 49
McKayla Friel 57
Gavin Webster 57
UHS 177
Jack Giobbia 40
Landon Spiker 48
Alex Solomon 39
Zach Harman 50
Aubrey Estel 55
Dylan Bonfili 56
