OVAC girls golf champions crowned
Trending
WHEELING - It's been quite a month for Wheeling Park's Ellie West.
The Patriots freshman golf sensation fired a sizzling 32 on the back nine holes at the Crispin Golf Course Wednesday to earn medalist honors with an even par 71 (39-32) during the first-ever OVAC Girls Class 4A-5A Golf Championships inside Oglebay Park.
"It's been pretty good overall. I've had some wins and some losses," the 14-year-old said. "I've learned a lot this season."
In previous years, the tournament was an all-class event. However, it was divided into two groups for 2026, with Class 1A-3A being the other division.
Just a week ago, West shot a state-record 66 to win the modified W.Va. state tournament at The Links at Woodbridge in Mineral Wells.
"I'd have to say that the state tournament means a little more to me because I set the state record," West admitted. "That was pretty cool."
She said there was some added pressure on Wednesday due to that victory.
"A little bit. I definitely felt some pressure to come out and perform, but I just tried to have fun. It was a slow day today," she pointed out.
When asked about her round, she was pleased how it unfolded.
"Even par. I'll take that any day of the week on this course," she said. "The greens were a little fast, but there was some mud in the fairways."
As a team, Wheeling Park finished second with a four-player score of 356, which was six shots behind Marietta. Beaver Local was third at 386, followed by Morgantown (391) and Warren Local (394) to round out the top 5. Edison carded a 395 to finish sixth. It was followed by Harrison Central (411), University (429), Weir (472) and Martins Ferry (495).
"The girls have been working hard. They cheer for each other and have really good attitudes," the first-year Wheeling Park head coach Ally Kangisser said. "Ellie is a great golfer. She works really hard and she is very dedicated. Everything she does, she deserves because she has worked hard for it. I'm proud of her."
Following West were Blair Anderson (92), Abigail Thomas (95) and Katelyn Maloney (98). The fifth team member was Carter Kidd.
"I'm really happy with how the girls progressed all season," Kangisser said. "I really love spending time with the girls. I'm already looking forward to next season."
Joining West on the all-Tournament team was Harrison Central's Reese Dunlap (78), Barnesville's Kennedy Little (79), who played as an individual, Warren Local's Maggie Evans (79) and Morgantown's Evyn Trembush (83).
Marietta was paced by Jillian Elliott with a solid 84. She was followed by Claire Bills (85), Madi D'Ettarre (87) and Kenedee Strauss (94). Samantha Mayo was the fifth player.
In Class 1A-3A, Fort Frye also shot 350 to take top honors by a whopping 43 shots over second-place Columbiana. Shadyside (433) was third, followed by Wheeling Central (447), Heartland Christian (486), Caldwell (507), Bridgeport (539) and Monroe Central (573).
The Cadets had the medalist and runner up in Raeleigh Warden (76) and Kohen Coursen (80). Their other two scorers were Kallie Boley (93) and Kenna McCurdy (101). The fifth player was Abi Huck.
In addition to Warden and Coursen, also making the all-tournament team were Shadyside's Callie O'Donnell and the Columbiana duo of Claire Banner and Maddie Jackson.