VIDEO: Newark Catholic Golf Comes Close Again, Finishes Division III State Runner-Up

In a heart-wrenching repetition of last year’s result, the Newark Catholic boys golf team narrowly missed out on the Division III state championship for the second consecutive year. The Green Wave, who led for most of the tournament, were edged out by Warren JFK by just one stroke at the Ohio State Scarlet Course.

Newark Catholic had a strong showing throughout the tournament, finishing third in 2021 and making it to the state tournament in both 2020 and 2021. However, they were unable to secure the coveted state title, leaving the team’s three seniors disappointed yet proud of their four consecutive state trips.

The final day of competition saw a tight battle between Newark Catholic and JFK, with the two teams tied going into the last round. Newark Catholic initially pulled ahead on the middle holes, holding a lead of up to 12 strokes. However, JFK mounted a comeback and ultimately secured victory with a total score of 648, defeating Newark Catholic by a single stroke with a score of 649. Youngstown Mooney finished a distant third, trailing by 21 strokes at 668. Seven Hills Christian Academy, who narrowly beat out Newark Catholic last year, finished in seventh place.

Andrew LaPolla, one of three sophomores on JFK’s starting lineup, played a crucial role in their win, scoring two birdies on the back nine. On the other hand, Newark Catholic struggled with numerous bogeys, including one triple bogey and another double bogey, in the challenging weather conditions. The round was delayed by over an hour.

Coach Phil West acknowledged the disappointment of falling just short of the title for two years in a row but commended his team’s efforts. He emphasized the importance of each shot and praised JFK for their resilience in adverse conditions.

If the teams had tied, Newark Catholic would have been crowned champions due to owning the tiebreaker for the fifth man. However, the team’s performance on the last day, which coincidentally turned out to be their worst score of the season, hindered their chances of victory.

Senior Brian Luft, who was named Licking County League Player of the Year, had to undergo an emergency appendectomy on Monday prior to the tournament. Despite being in pain and far from fully recovered, Luft still attempted to play and contribute to his team’s success. His teammates admired his determination and toughness.

Max Vanoy, a senior and one of Newark Catholic’s top performers, finished with an impressive score of 155, earning him second-team All-Ohio honors. Bobby Kieber, a sophomore, scored 161, while junior Brogan Sullivan posted 167. Luft finished at 168, and senior Nathan Riggleman completed the team’s score with 169.

Although disappointed by the outcome, the players and coaches expressed their pride in the team’s accomplishments. The seniors will continue their golf careers at the college level, with Luft heading to Barton, N.C., Vanoy attending Tiffin, and Riggleman playing at Findlay.

The remaining members of the team, including Sullivan, Kieber, and Carter Hahn, who has shown significant improvement, will return next year with the goal of leading Newark Catholic back to the state tournament. Vanoy expressed his excitement to see what they can achieve and hopes that they can continue the team’s impressive legacy.

Contact reporter Doug Weidig at [email protected] or 740-704-7973. Follow him on Twitter at @grover5675 and on Instagram at @dfweidig.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.