WHEELING – The 2024 WVSSAC state golf tournament concluded on Wednesday from Jones Course at Speidel Golf Club in Wheeling.
Clay-Battelle, Morgantown, and University each continued after day one in team and individual competition after solid showings in the opening round.
The University Hawks entered the day sitting in third place at 245, four shots behind Hurricane (241) for second place. They fell one spot to fourth after the Patriots overtook them after the final round.
UHS junior Owen Estel was the low-finisher on the team as he finished 18-over par for the tournament after shooting a +8, 79 in round two.
“I’m really proud of our guys this week playing on a very tough course,” UHS coach Barry Kolar said. “We had two seniors, a junior, and a sophomore playing in his first state tournament, and they held their own. After starting a bit rough today on the first hole, Owen really got it together and ended up shooting a solid score to bring his round back. This was a great experience for the four of them and the success of this season overall has set a new standard for golf at University High School. Last season we qualified as a team for the first time in nearlya decade, and now we expect to be here every single year. We will miss our two seniors and are excited for the young players coming up through our program.”
Morgantown High School senior Gabe Watson sat in a tie for seventh in the individual standings after round one, and his teammate, sophomore Solas Chhin-Kreiner, began the day tied for 15th.
They each finished their tournament at 21-over par for the week after concluding their final round.
“Although we didn’t play our best today and came up a little short of our goals, I am beyond proud of the two of them (Chhin-Kreiner and Watson),” MHS coach Christian Root said. “I don’t think people realize just how hard they set this course up to play this week. It toes the line of fairness and some holes probably cross that line, to be honest. But both of them toughed out six-hour rounds of golfand did their very best. I am extremely proud of them. This season has been amazing and Solas and Gabe have been tremendous leaders.”
Chhin-Kreiner shot a 9-over, 80 on Wednesday, including an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole, while Watson fired a +13, 84.
Clay-Battelle junior Ryan Parker finished in 35th in the Class A standings.
Cabell Midland swept the titles in Class AAA with the team championship and the individual winner in Jack Michael. Shady Spring took home the team title for Class AA, while St. Mary’s won first place in Class A.
