The Western Albemarle golf team is displaying quality signs as the regional and state tournaments approach.
“I think it compares very well to some of our better teams,” Warriors head coach Darren Maynard said. “Two years ago, we won the state [title] — it reminds me a lot of that team.”
After winning the VHSL Class 3 state championship in 2023, Western Albemarle placed second in 2024. The Warriors are aiming to play their best golf when the matches matter most this fall.
“I think we wanted to peak at the right time this year. We sort of felt like we peaked really early last year and weren’t playing our best golf at the end,” Maynard said. “Now, we sort of seem to be ramping back up and playing really well right now.”
Western Albemarle won the Jefferson District championship on Wednesday at Old Trail Golf Club with a score of 296. Kennedy MacCleery led the way with a score of 2-under 70, while Joe Morinelli shot even par at 72.
Individually, Albemarle’s Charlie Stiffler was a co-medalist alongside Goochland’s Lance Coleman after they both put up a score of 69. The Patriots’ Gavin Bailie and Monticello’s Nick Martens also shot under par at 70 and 71, respectively.
The district tournament served as quality preparation for the postseason. Most matches throughout the year have been nine holes, but teams played the full 18-hole course on Wednesday.
“It’s just helpful to imagine what a day’s going to be like,” MacCleery said. “You just have to keep your mental state through 18 holes.”
While the Warriors have maintained high expectations, they have been progressing with a younger roster.
“We lost like eight seniors last year, so it’s been tough without them, but this team has really pulled through,” MacCleery said. “We’ve got three underclassmen in the top six that have really played great this year — Lucas [Crombie], Sebby [Horne] and James [Nolde].”
Crombie, Horne and Nolde all shot under 80 on Wednesday to help the Warriors secure the victory.
With the significant roster turnover, Western Albemarle players have swiftly undertaken new roles.
“I think we’ve gelled together very well, and I think some new people that had to be leaders this year sure have done an excellent job with that,” Maynard said. “Kennedy [MacCleery], Joe [Morinelli] and Luke [Winters] have done a great job being leaders for this year’s team.”
As the playoffs approach, the Warriors are focused on being the best versions of themselves without taking the competition into account.
“Obviously, the goal’s always to do our best at states and hopefully win,” MacCleery said. “I think everyone just wants to go out and play their best and know that they gave everything they [could], and if another team comes out and plays better than we did, we can’t do much about it.”
Chris Gionta
cgionta@dailyprogress.com
@Chris_Gionta on X
C’ville Varsity
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