On Oct. 11, the Meridian golf team competed in the VHSL Class 3 state championship at Stonehenge Golf & Country Club in Richmond. 

The team placed third with an overall score of 324. Lord Botetourt and Abingdon placed ahead of Meridian, shooting 318 and 306 respectively. In the individual championship, sophomore Noah Peng placed sixth, shooting a 76. 

The state tournament concluded an overall successful season for Meridian golf. The team won the Northwestern District tournament by 10 strokes, and defeated Goochland by one stroke to become the Region 3B champions.

“We played great throughout the regular season, and competed well against much bigger schools,” senior captain Ethan Bartlett said. “We were very consistent throughout the year and the work we put in showed in our victories at districts and regionals.” 

After losing their previous coach from last season, the team was extremely thankful to find a replacement head coach. 

“[I am] so glad we were able to find a good coach after we lost our one last year,” junior Dean Zike said. 

It was not an easy journey for the golf team to qualify for states. The season required copious amounts of hard work, dedication, and commitment from all of the golfers. 

“I believe as a player on the team this year and last year that making states for the second year in a row has been amazing and a great opportunity for the Meridian golf program. The work that we put in during the off season and during this season has really improved the team as a whole,” sophomore Noah Peng commented. 

“As a new player to the golf team this year, the journey to making states has been such a great experience for myself and our Meridian golf program. As we near the end of our season, I look back on how our team has progressed throughout the season [by] learning and building together,” sophomore Henry Brown adds. 

The team has high expectations for next season, hoping to make it back to the state tournament. 

“I am very satisfied with how we are playing and I think our team has a bright future,” junior Ben Meade concluded.