In its seventh season the John Marshall Girls Golf Team has slowly built itself into a power to be reckoned with in the Ohio Valley. This year’s team has battled the elements to a 15-4 record that has included some of the top competition in both West Virginia and Ohio.
In fact, the Lady Monarchs are undefeated against West Virginia and OVAC competition. Their only losses have come in the Lady Muskie Classic in Zanesville where JM finished fifth in a field of twelve outstanding teams including some of the top girl golf programs in the state of Ohio. They have managed to do in in some terrible weather conditions. A recent win over the girls from Wheeling Central and Brooke give the JM girls wins in four consecutive matches where they completed their rounds in wind and rain. Despite the weather, they just keep winning.
When the John Marshall High School decided to have a separate girls team six years ago, they were the only separate girls team in West Virginia, but found great opportunities to compete against schools in Ohio. This season though, they are joined by full girls’ teams at Wheeling Central, University and Brooke High Schools.
The team is led by outstanding freshman Kianna Garrison. She is a cousin and is mentored by former top JM golfer and current Bethany College golf coach Kailey Pettit, Garrison has been the team’s leading scorer in nearly every match. This is in addition to also being one of the top scorers on the JM boys team as well.
Junior, Jocelyn Blatt adds her three years of experience of being one of the top JM female golfers in the program. She provides the skill and experience the young John Marshall girls team needs.
Senior Alexis Cumberledge is the team’s biggest surprise. After starting on the JM softball’s state championship team, the outstanding athlete has taken up golf with great success. She is one of the team’s low scorers and has also contributed to the boys team’s success as well.
Morgan Messner, a sophomore with a year’s experience on the JM varsity has provided invaluable leadership for the team both on and off the course. She is also probably the most consistent player on the team and provides plenty of advice for the many first year players on the team.
Another surprise this season has been sophomore Payten Jones. While she had dabbled in golf for a year or so, her primary focus has always been cheering and dance but this season, Miss. Jones has found great success on the golf course. She has played very well on the girls varsity team.
Junior Raegan Gorby adds her two years of experience to the JM team. More known for her bowling skills, Miss Gorby provides the depth that is key to this year’s success.
Another junior Alexis Thayer, also a member of the state championship softball team, has found that golf may be easier that softball, because “the ball is not moving when you hit it.” Her power and strength provides her the ability to drive the ball further that all of the other JM team members and her short game continues to improve.
As their season continues for the next six weeks, the girls face some fun challenges. First, on Friday, August 18 they will compete in the inaugural Two Rivers Athletic Conference Tournament at Moundsville Country Club. They also will be playing in the sixth annual OV Athletics Invitational Girls Tournament, and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Girls Tournament. Their big challenge will be competing in the Sixth Annual West Virginia Secondary School Girls Invitational Golf Tournament at Mingo Bottom Golf Course in Elizabeth, West Virginia. The JM girls love the very challenging Mingo Bottom track and consider it “their home away from home.” As JM Coach Dave Gaudino likes to say, “Mingo Bottom is one of the best courses in West Virginia that no one has ever heard of.”
Coach Gaudino is joined on the JM golf staff by assistants August “Gus” Hanson and first year coach, Cliff Wolodkin.
Discussion about this post