Champions - AGAIN!!!

Fairmont State wins WVIAC golf title
For the Times West Virginian

ROANOKE — Fairmont State used strong final rounds from Ben Palmer and Justin Caroli to pull away from the field and claim a 13-shot victory at the WVIAC men’s golf championship.Palmer fired a 69 and Caroli added a 70 to help the Falcons shoot the low team round of the tournament of 302 on Wednesday.

Palmer’s final round of 69 marked the low round for the week and was the 14th score in WVIAC Championship history to break 70. It was one shot off the conference record of 68, accomplished three different times.

In addition to Palmer and Caroli, the Falcons were led by Will Gautreau with a 235 (79-75-81), Zack Rudy with a 235 (79-75-81) and Joel Cano with a 270 (87-85-98).

“I am so proud of these guys,” FSU head coach Reid Amos said. “Stonewall is such a difficult golf course, after posting 20-under at Canaan, I think a lot of folks thought a tougher and tighter venue like Stonewall would not be ideal for us. It turns out we were able to get it done. The guys are already talking about the trip to Super Regionals.

“We’ve gotten super play out of our seniors Justin Caroli and Will Gautreau. Zack Rudy has turned into a player this semester and freshman Ben Palmer was unbelievable today. We couldn’t ask for any better a team player than Joel Cano. It was a true team win.”

Fairmont State’s victory assures the Falcons of their fourth consecutive NCAA Division II East Region appearance. The site of the May 5-7 event has not been officially announced but it will [most likely] be St. Anne’s Country Club in Delaware.

West Liberty State senior Matt Hicks finished the 54-hole event at five-over par 221 and claimed medalist honors. Caroli finished second, a shot back of Hicks with a 222. Ohio Valley’s Paul Raines was third at 224. West Liberty’s Scott Smith (229) and Palmer (230) rounded out the top five.

This was the first time the WVIAC championship has been played in the fall.

Congratulations FS golfers!!! You continue to make me proud of your accomplishments!!!