Photo by Seth Staskey Buckeye Local’s Aiden Polanski won a playoff hole to claim victory at the Mid Ohio Valley League Championship Tuesday.

WHEELING — Barnesville’s golf team sustained heavy graduation losses from its 2021 squad that claimed the Mid Ohio Valley League championship.

Despite several new faces in the Shamrocks’ lineup, the beat continued at the overcast and damp Crispin Course at Oglebay Park on Tuesday.

Barnesville finished with a solid 334 to repeat as league champions and fended off Monroe Central (343) and Buckeye Local (344) in the process.

“We had to replace a lot of kids, but these young kids have just kept coming on as the season’s progressed,” Barnesville head coach Jerry Robinson said. “They’re getting better and better, have good team camaraderie and they’ve been very coachable. I couldn’t be more proud of a group of kids.”

Leading the way for the Shamrocks was Hayden Treadway, who finished in a three-way tie for the medalist honors with a round of 78.

Ayden Van Horn and Brady Gallagher both signed for a round of 84 and senior standout Breanna Flood, who was the low-scoring female in the event, posted a round of 88.

For Flood, it’s the second straight season she captured the award for the low female score.

“I played decently, but I know I can play better,” Flood said. “I wish I could do better. My putting and chipping weren’t good (Tuesday), so I definitely need to keep working on those.”

Monroe Central, which won the league title in 2020, was led by Zander Potts, who shot a round of 80 to earn a spot on the All-League team.

Buckeye Local senior Aiden Polanski put himself in position for birdies all afternoon it seemed, but lamented his putting after the round. He sank a short one when he needed it, however, to win the three-way playoff with a birdie on No. 1.

“I had a bunch of birdie putts and only made two, so the putter wasn’t there, but everything else was, fortunately,” Polanski said.

Polanski, who had never been in a playoff during his prep career, drove the ball down the middle of the fairway and within feet of the green. A solid chip put him to within a couple of feet, setting up the birdie putt.

“I was thinking, ‘please don’t shank (the tee shot),'” Polanski laughed. “I knew I had to get it in the middle of the fairway. I felt pretty confident that I was going to win once I hit that tee shot. I was able to calm down and sink the putt. Winning this means a lot to me because I’ve been close before.”

Frontier’s Lucas Reed was the other third of the playoff. He, too, posted a 78 and was named All-League.

Shadyside’s Luke Bell was the other member of the All-League team. He shot a round of 85.

GIRLS

Monroe Central’s girls shot a round of 459 to fend off River by 10 shots. They were the only two schools to field full girls teams.

Joining Flood on the All-League team were the Monroe Central trio of Destiny Crawford (101), Ashley Weckbacher (112) and Lanie Largent (116) along with River’s Brielle Grimes (98).

Photo by Jay Bennett
Hurricane junior Savannah Hawkins, pictured here hitting a chip shot Tuesday afternoon on the par-4 15th at Mingo Bottom Golf Club, fired a 4-under par 68 to top previous two-time champion Taylor Sargent of Cabell MIdland. The Knight shot a 2-under par 70.

Hurricane’s Hawkins Wins WV Girls’ Championship

ELIZABETH — Savannah Hawkins of Hurricane was victorious at Mingo Bottom Golf Club Tuesday, shooting 4-under 68 to take first place at the West Virginia High School Girls’ Invitational Golf Championship.

Cabell Midland’s Taylor Sargent (70) and Westside’s Kerri Anne Cooke (76) rounded out the top three.

Wheeling Central’s Maddie Potts was the top local finisher in the 18-hole Championship Division, shooting 97 to come in 17th. Right behind Potts was John Marshall’s Payten Clark, who shot 99 in a tie for 18th. Oak Glen’s Brasinn Provenzano finished in a tie for 28 with 104.

The Monarchs, who’s six entrants were the most of any school, also had Champion Division finishers in Jocelyn Blatt (33rd, 111), Amelia Kaste (T36, 117), Lilly Roman (T39, 119) and Morgan Messner (49, 126).

Wahama’s Payton Barnitz carded 56 to win the nine-hole Open Division.

Knights win at Jones Course

WHEELING — Wheeling Central claimed victory at the Jones course with a team score of 318, better than Fort Frye (339), John Marshall (349) and University (353).

Central’s Justin Doerr claimed medalist honors with a 1-under 70. JM’s Ethan Cook came in second, shooting 74.

Luke Tiu (82), Landon Prager (82) and Ryan Costanzo (84) also scored for Central. Landon Ruchman (90), Colton Sprowls (91) and Raymond Steed (94) scored for JM.

Bruins Win Tri

The Brooke Bruins shot 184 Tuesday, better than Indian Creek (190) and Beaver (215).

IC’s Noah Tweedy shot a tidy 38 to claim medalist honors. Mason Reese led Brooke with a 42, followed by Nick Cipoletti (46), Owen Petuella (47) and Henry Anderson (48).

Michael McKenzie led Beaver with a 48.