Photo by Cody Tomer Wheeling Park’s Noah Seivertson sends a shot on to the green during Wednesday’s final round of the state tournament.

WHEELING — Wheeling Park golf coach Don Headley knew it was going to be a battle on the links during Wednesday final round of the state golf tournament.

It was just that — a hard fought battle.

The Patriots entered the day with a two-stroke lead over Huntington and Capital but ended with Park taking home the runner-up trophy.

Huntington — with four seniors on the course — rallied to win its first golf state title since 1999 when Wheeling Park’s Mike Ricci was the overall winner.

The Highlanders fired a final score of 492 to best Park (498) by six shots. Greenbrier East followed at 503 and Capital was fourth with a 518.

“I said it was going to be a battle and whoever played well (Wednesday) was going to take the hardware home,” Headley said. “Our guys didn’t get it done. It was a little bit of mental mistakes and a little bit of putts not going in but there are no excuses. This is our home course and we have to get the job done.”

Huntington was led by a pair of all-tournament team members in Jacob Perry (158) and Tanner Dorsey (165), along with Connor Campbell (169).

Levi Strieter carded a 91 on Tuesday and Chase Coughenour finished the tourney with a 92 as the team’s fourth player.

“Anytime you win a championship it is special,” Huntington coach Travis Austin said. “But we had four seniors playing (Wednesday). It’s really special for them.

“They are a great group and I’m going to miss them a lot next year.

“I had a parent send me a picture of them all playing golf together when they were 7 years old. They’ve been together for so long so it’s nice to see them go out on such a positive note. I’m proud of them.”

Leading the Patriots was junior Noah Seivertson, who finished with runner-up accolades in individual play with a card of 155.

It was also Seivertson’s first time making the all-tournament team.

“It’s a good learning experience,” Seivertson said. “You always want to get first but I feel like when you get second, you learn something from that and I think that was important this year.”

Headley agreed.

“Golf is an absolute learning game,” he said. “You have to get better every time you play this game.

“Some days you get the bear and some days the bear gets you. That’s how it works. Hopefully, it will make them hungrier for next year.”

Seivertson shot a 77 in his opening round and stayed consistent with a 78 on Day 2. Teammate James Salvatori finished the two-day event at 169, Owen Leary turned in a 175 and freshman Gavin Goodrich added a 178 for the Patriots.

“All of our guys are young,” Headley said. “Noah and James will be leaders next year as seniors. Gavin, Owen, Trent (Harris), Noah and James will have to get better but now they know what it takes to win.”

In Class A, St. Mary’s took home top honors with a 532 and Ritchie County was next at 553.

Ravenswood’s Gavin Fox earned medalist honors after shooting a 165 and winning a playoff with Webster County’s Rigel Wilson.

Last year’s runner-up from Magnolia, Trey Blain, finished tied for third — good enough to capture all-tournament accolades in his final match.

He shot an 89 in the opening round but capped the season off with a final round score of 81.

“(Tuesday) I didn’t strike the ball very well,” Blain said. “We went to the range (Tuesday night) and worked on it. I did have a couple of three-putts but other than that I played a lot better.

“It’s been a good ride. I came up a little short but I can’t complain.”

Fairmont Senior took home the title in Class AA with a 504, ahead of runner-up North Marion at 539.

Todd Duncan of Shady Spring was the Class AA medalist with a card of 150.