WHEELING, W.Va. — The WVSSAC Class AAAA and Class AAA state golf tournaments concluded with head coaches celebrating titles with their children who played integral roles in the victories. Hurricane completed a successful state title defense in Class AAAA while Bridgeport erased a nine-shot deficit entering the final 18 holes to win the Class AAA crown.
Hurricane placed three golfers inside the top five to repeat as the largest classification champion. Parker O’Dell (2nd, 4-over), Bentley Shirkey (4th, 11-over) and Isaac Hayes (5th, 15-over) led the way for the Redskins.
“It is always tough to win here,” said Hurricane head coach Sam O’Dell. “You kind of prepare them for it the whole year. They haven’t quit working. This team worked every bit as hard as the team last year. Once you get here, the players deserve all the credit.”
For the second consecutive year, Sam O’Dell shares the championship with his son, Parker. Parker’s older brother, Carson, was a key member of the HHS title team a year ago.
“[Parker] has played so good all year. He kind of struggled in the regionals. I tried to help him a little bit but he just kind of figures it out himself, usually. When I kind of got away from him, I saw him get a little better and he kind of found it, to be honest Sunday evening at the driving range.”
University finished as the Class AAAA team runner-up while Washington finished third.
Future WVU golfer Tommy Evans earned Class AAAA medalist honors, finishing the 36-hole tournament at 2-over. The Washington H.S. senior won the Class AAA title in 2023.
“This ranks pretty high up,” Evans said. “I have been looking forward to winning another one since freshman year. I am glad I ended it the way I wanted to and I am really happy the way my high school season went.”
Bridgeport quickly climbed the Class AAA leaderboard in the second round after beginning the day in fourth place. Sophomore Alex Randolph (even par) earned medalist honors to pace the Indians.
“Honestly, coming into this tournament, we definitely weren’t the favorites,” Randolph said. “I think we would have been happy with a top three finish, for sure. Being able to come out and win it is pretty special.”
“I kind of got a sense when we made the turn,” said Bridgeport head coach Chris Kerr. “The back nine here, which was our front nine today, was extremely difficult. When we got through the back nine the way we did, I thought we could make some noise especially if you start putting a score up. The other teams see that you are making a move.”
BHS senior Audrey Kerr completed her high school career with a 14th place finish while Luke Rohrig finished 23rd. Pat Aucremanne was inserted into the lineup on Tuesday and shot 78.
“To go out on top with your daughter as a state champion and walk away with a state championship, I couldn’t be more excited for the kids,” said Chris Kerr. “For me and my assistant coach Ben Randolph, Alex’s dad, you hope to win one of these. But you never expect to.”
Winfield and Shady Spring finished tied for second, with the Generals winning the tiebreaker for runner-up honors.
The Class AA and Class A state tournament begins Wednesday and concludes Thursday.