In a dramatic finish that will be remembered for years to come, the Meridian High School golf team made history on Tuesday, Oct. 15, securing their first-ever State Championship title with a team score of 297, five points ahead of Western Albemarle and six other VHSL Class 3 schools competing at Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Harrisonburg. The steady Meridian team achieved a goal that many high school athletes only dream of attaining.
In spite of Tuesday’s low temperatures and wet rain, Team Captain and senior Noah Peng led the charge with a remarkable even-par performance, showing exceptional composure despite the weather.
“I don’t mind playing in the rain,” said Peng. “It evens the playing field. I was able to stay in my routine and still play my game.”
Tuesday’s victory was even sweeter considering the team’s unpredictable journey through the playoffs. At Districts, the team faced a major setback when Co-Captain Henry Brown had to drop out at the last moment due to illness. Peng rose to the occasion, shooting a career-best 65 (6-under-par) to help the team secure a second place District finish and keep the team’s hopes alive.
At Regionals, the team clinched first place among four schools, with Brown and freshman Charles Griffith both carding 76. The team’s collective effort was enough to edge out their chief rival, Kettle Run, by seven points to secure the regional title and open the way to States for the third time in four consecutive years. (The last time Meridian’s golf team competed in the State Championship was in 2022, when the team came in third place.)
Meridian has benefited from a new, yet seasoned, high school golf coach this year. Coach Tim Sample’s calm yet positive demeanor was instrumental in keeping the team focused throughout the season, and especially at the State competition.
“Coach’s composure helped us stay relaxed and confident, even when the stakes were high,” said Peng, describing the team’s state of mind preparing for the first tee-off early Tuesday morning.
Reflecting on the coach’s team approach from the start of the season, Brown said, “He believed in us even when we didn’t ourselves yet.”
At the very first meeting, Coach Sample told the entire team that he believed they could make it all the way to States, if everyone put in the work.
Upon arriving in Harrisonburg, Coach Sample told the team that the key was not to be distracted by the fact that it was a State Championship. “It will take at least three of our players to shoot in the 70s. We are capable of that as long as we stay within ourselves and play our own game without getting bogged down by the importance or the hype,” he said.
The team’s depth proved crucial in their championship victory. Following Peng’s low score of 70, third best of the day, Senior Alex Way delivered a stellar 72, after four clutch birdies on the back nine. Brown, back in top form, contributed a solid 74, while Griffith’s 81 helped secure the unexpected victory. Strong supporting performances from Junior Atticus Kim (89) and Sophomore Drew Fishel (85) rounded out the historic win.
“I couldn’t be prouder of how these boys handled themselves,” said Coach Sample after the victory. “This team has shown extraordinary growth throughout the season.” The achievement marks a watershed moment for Meridian High School’s athletic program.
“This entire season, including the culmination of the win and title as State Champions, is the stuff that Hollywood movies are made of!” said Assistant Coach Mike McCorkle. “These boys have written themselves into the school’s history books.”
The victory sets a new standard for Meridian golf and serves as an inspiration for future generations of student-athletes to come.
