The Pocahontas County High School golf team finished number six in the state, after competing in the state tournament in Wheeling on October 7, 8 and 9.
Charleston Catholic won the state title with a score of 473. Weirton Madonna came in second, with a score of 483, and Buffalo rounded out the top three with a score of 518. Pocahontas finished number six with a score of 592.
Head coach Phillip Anderson heard good remarks during the tournament.
“They were very respected at the tournament – in more than one way,” he said. “They have coaches from different high schools follow around your kids, to score them. I went up to a coach that had several of my boys and he commented on their behavior. The way that they played the game was respectful. They didn’t throw their clubs or cuss. They seemed to be having fun. I would say that the kids were enjoying what they were doing out there, which was a big thing. To me, that was just as important as them winning. But the coaches had no problem with their behavior or their golf etiquette.”
Freshman standout B.J. Wilfong led PCHS with a two-day score of 190. Senior Andrew Morrison shot 194. Junior Stephen Mick shot a 208 and sophomore Matthew Rao finished with a score of 237.
Anderson thinks his team will improve next year
“I think that we”re going to be stronger, because the younger guys are going to get better – and everyone else around us is going to get better,” he said. “I think now we have that bullseye on our back and it’s going to be hard to win regionals again next year, but it’s very possible. They’re going to have to play together as a team. They’re all going to have to step up and be leaders at some point in time.”
Success has generated interest from other students.
“Now that we made it to states, I have some interest from other kids who can play golf,” said Anderson. “Maybe they played another sport, but I think they might play both sports next year.”
Morrison played football and golf this season.
“It becomes a little tough sometimes,” he said. “You get a little sore, definitely. The swing never works out. But Coach Burns lets me go to matches and Coach Anderson is fine with me playing football. Golf is probably my favorite, but football takes a lot more time.”