Flyers clinch school's 1st-ever state tournament berth

PORTSMOUTH — Goal No.1 Win the Southern Ohio Conference-1 title. Check. Goal No. 2 Win the Division 3 Sectional Championship. Check. Goal No. 3 Win the D3 District Championship. Check.

Oh, and here’s one more goal that goes along with obtaining Goal No. 3: The school’s first-ever trip to a state tournament in any sport.

The St. Joseph Flyers made school history on Wednesday by winning the Division 3 District Golf Championship by two strokes over Waterford at the Portsmouth Elks Country Club.

“I kept tabs on (Waterford) all year. I knew they were our main competition by the time we got to the district. I always felt like we had kind of the edge. I had a really good feeling coming into today, but to actually get it done wasn’t easy,” said Flyers' coach Quinn Cole.

“We didn’t get off to the best start. It seemed like everybody had some nerves early, but as the day went on, they settled in and just took care of business.”

In David versus Goliath fashion, the Flyers posted a team score of 314 with the Waterford Wildcats finishing at 316. The Portsmouth West Senators were a distant third with a 334-team total.

St. Joseph is the smallest school in the state of Ohio that fields a golf team. The Flyers have less than 45 total students. Waterford has a total enrollment of approximately 177 students.

Freshman Cohen Dressel had twin rounds of 36 to finish with an even par 72. Junior Christopher Phillips — the sectional tournament medalist — was next with rounds of 39 and 37 for a 76 and sophomore Mitchell Heighton had identical rounds for 40 for an 80 total.

Senior Jadyn Fields shot rounds of 44 and 42 for an 86 total and freshman Troy Erlenwein finished one shot back at 87 with rounds of 4 and 41.

“It’s all these guys and their hard work. They work so hard. We were talking about that at dinner tonight. Every single one of them works hard at their game,” said Cole.

“They don’t just work during the golf season. They’re hitting a golf simulator in the offseason during the winter. They’re always doing something. They’re just such a driven bunch of guys. I’ve said it before. They make it so easy as a coach when you have a group that is so driven. It’s a great situation. I’m really excited with the opportunities that may be at stake.”

Sophomore Brock Hurley of Waterford was the tournament medalist with a 70 and qualified for the state tournament as an individual.

Reese Lang shot a 72, Luke Hvizedzak 84, Cam Clark 90, and Wade Starkey 91 for Waterford.

“I’m celebrating right now, but it’s one of those things where I hate it for (Waterford). If you look at it right now, we’re both top five teams in the state. I hate it that they can’t make it, but gosh, I’m glad it’s us and not them,” Cole said.

Only one team and one individual not on the winning team advance to the state tournament to be held Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 12-13 at NorthStar Golf Club in Sunbury.

Team scores: St. Joseph 314, Waterford 316, Portsmouth West 334, South Webster 353, Whiteoak 361, Leesburg Fairfield 365, Peebles 372, Manchester 374, Racine Southern 394, Portsmouth Clay 397.

Portsmouth West: Owen Richards 40-37=77, Harrison Richards 43-39=82, Cason Frump 38-44=82, Logan Journey 48-45=93, Bentley Day 53-55=108.

South Webster: Easton Large 44-41=85, Pierce Kreischer 48-46=94, Kaeden Whisman 47-40=87, Connor Lore 47-40=87, Luke Jenkins 51-45=96.

Portsmouth Clay: Evan Rider 41-45=86, Bryce Whitley 47-51=98, London Sinclair 47-51=98, Luke McLary 57-58=115.

Individuals: Senior Josh Gibson, Symmes Valley Vikings, 44-42=86; Freshman Donovan Brown, Green Bobcats, 55-54=109.