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Maroon Knights Claim 3-Peat

Photo by Seth Staskey Wheeling Central’s Derrick Harrison watches his fairway shot during the OVAC Championship Thursday.

WHEELING — Not even a new class could slow down the Wheeling Central golf program.

After claiming back-to-back titles in Class 2A, the Maroon Knights bumped up to Class 3A for this school year and simply picked up where they left off.

Wheeling Central — on the strength of two all-tournament players — claimed the school’s 15th conference golf title at overcast and chilly Crispin Center inside Oglebay Park Thursday afternoon. The Maroon Knights finished with an impressive team score of 310, which was 14 shots better than runner-up Barnesville.

“This is a young group that’s worked really hard,” Wheeling Central coach Jim Mortakis said. “The kids did a good job and played really well (Thursday).”

With nary a senior in the mix, Mortakis believes even better rounds might lie ahead for his team.

“We have three juniors, a freshman and a first-year player, who has been improving all year long,” Mortakis said. “It’s just a good group of kids.”

Fueling the Knights’ charge was an impressive, one-over par round of 72 by tournament champion Derrick Harrison. He shot an even 35 on the inward nine. He signed a card that included four bogeys and three birdies, including an impressive birdie on the last to give him his 72.

“Coming in, I had two goals … not to choke under the pressure and break 80,” Harrison said.

“This is my best tournament score ever. I played conservative golf because I didn’t want to make too many mistakes. I was able to stay out of trouble and it led to a good round.”

Harrison credited his driver and iron play as the key reasons he was able to post such a low number.

“My putting should have been better, but I am not going to complain,” Harrison said. “I was in position to score well.”

While Harrison was excited for his first individual OVAC championship, the third consecutive team title was even more satisfying.

“To move up a class and still win is great,” Harrison said. “This (performance) really builds up a lot of confidence and momentum moving forward toward the sectional. I just have to keep it in the back of my head that I did well here, so I need to keep that going.”

Central’s J.C. Maxwell was the tournament runnerup. He rebounded from a 39 on the front to post a 36 on the back en route to a 75 and a spot on the all-tournament team.

Junior Zach Mazur (80) and Chayse Stahanczyk (83) rounded out the scoring for the Knights.

“There probably aren’t very many teams, in any class, that are able to post those kinds of numbers,” Mortakis said. “(The OVAC) is really our first concrete goal of the season. Having two guys make the all-tournament team certainly helps out.”

Barnesville, which finished an undefeated season in the Ohio Valley Golf League earlier this week, had two players qualify for all-tournament. Leading the way for the Shamrocks were Payne Johnson and Tyler Willison. Both finished with a 78.

Magnolia, which was the defending champion, was led by Trey Blain’s round of 74. He finished third overall.

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