Molly McLean wins W.Va. Girls Invite
PHS senior won the third annual West Virginia state event by a single stroke
Photo by Jay W. Bennett Parkersburg’ Molly McLean looks at her shot during a high school golf match Tuesday. McLean won the third annual West Virginia girls state golf invitational by a single stroke.
Roane County's Emerson Simons earned all-tournament accolades.
Photos by Jay W. Bennett Parkersburg Nicole Lincicome follows through on a drive during a high school golf match Tuesda
Photo by Jay W. Bennett Parkersburg’ Molly McLean looks at her shot during a high school golf match Tuesday. McLean won the third annual West Virginia girls state golf invitational by a single stroke.
Roane County's Emerson Simons earned all-tournament accolades.
Photos by Jay W. Bennett Parkersburg Nicole Lincicome follows through on a drive during a high school golf match Tuesda
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ELIZABETH — Parkersburg High School junior Molly McLean claimed the third annual West Virginia girls state golf invitational by a single stroke here Tuesday at Mingo Bottom Golf Club.
The Big Red shot even par 36 on the front nine and finished with a 3-over par round of 75, which nipped Westside freshman Kerri-Anne Cook’s 76.
“It’s crazy. I came off 18 crying because I was pretty sure I had won,” McLean explained. “It’s just crazy, you know. I thought that my longer putt on the last hole I had to make to win.
“I thought she made a four so when I missed it I started freaking out because it still wasn’t like your typical tap-in for par. I was really stressing on the last putt then I found out she also made a five and that’s when I knew.”
McLean and Cook were the only golfers to break 80.
“I played two practice rounds,” Cook said of her course experience. “I played one yesterday (Monday) and one Sunday.”
Cook was 5-over at the turn, but finished strong with a 1-under par 35 on the back.
“I hit in the water with my third,” Cook admitted of the par-5, ninth. “I know most of the girls here. Molly, she played really good today.
“I just wanted to play the best golf that I could and do my best and have fun. I was just trying to keep a good score going. It was a lot of fun just having all girls here.”
Hurricane’s Savannah Hawkins finished alone in third place with an 81.
Cabell Midland’s Taylor Sargent, Sara Veara of Berkeley Springs and Woodrow Wilson’s Mary Denny finished tied for fourth a stroke back.
“I felt like two totally different people,” admitted Denny, who made all-tournament for a third straight year and was runner-up in 2019. “I was 10 over on the front and was even on the back. I like the event and I’m glad we had something for all the girls.
“I’m disappointed Kanawha County didn’t get to play. They are girls I grew up with and it’s a lot of our last years. I think I pulled it together on the back nine enough to be content.”
Roane County’s Emerson Simons (83) and Parkersburg High’s Nicole Lincicome (84) also earned all-tournament accolades.
The Big Red senior made the turn with a 3-over par 39, but had a few struggles on the back.
Like Denny, Lincicome also was disappointed about not having a full field as eight players weren’t allowed to compete due to Mountain State COVID-19 restrictions.
“This is a three-peat for me,” Lincicome noted of being in the top eight. “I am not, not disappointed in how I played. There are two holes on the back nine that did come back to bite me a little bit. But you know, should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. I’m proud of myself on the way I finished on 17 and 18. I parred out and coach told me that’s how a leader finishes out, how a senior finishes.
“I’m staying positive about today’s score. Emma (Nicol of George Washington), her and I are good friends. She’ll get it. They (WVSSAC) are thankfully going to give the Kanawha County kids another chance to come up and play. She can’t win it (medalist), but she can try for all-state. She’s a good player and a good friend of mine.”
Wayne High School’s Anna Fry posted an 88 for ninth place.
Webster County’s Sydney Baird carded an 89, good for 10th, and was followed by Bridgeport’s Marra Johnson, who shot a 91.
McLean said her honest plan coming into the tournament was just to keep things simple.
“I just wanted to play well. That was basically my goal,” added the Big Red. “Just trying to play my game, only my game and no big numbers.
“I think everything was pretty consistent. My putter was fine and everything was just pretty consistent today. I had a few birdies. I don’t think I doubled anything.”
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com
WVSSAC Girls State Golf Invitational
at Mingo Bottom Golf Club, par 72
All-tournament team
Molly McLean, Parkersburg 75
Kerri-Anne Cook, Westside 76
Savannah Hawkins, Hurricane 81
Taylor Sargent, Cabell Midland 82
Mary Denny, Woodrow Wilson 82
Sara Veara, Berkeley Springs 82
Emerson Simons, Roane County 83
Nicole Lincicome, Parkersburg 84
Other Finishers
Anna Fry, Wayne 88
Sydney Baird, Webster County 89
Marra Johnson, Bridgeport 91
Isabella Ferrell, Morgantown 93
Angelina Dunez, Spring Mills 95
Rebekah Jenkins, Fairmont 95
Brielle Milhoan, Parkersburg 98
Anna Earl Parkersburg 99
Aubrey Estel, University 100
MaKenna Darr, Morgantown 117
Emily Redford, Winfield 101
McKayla Friel, Bridgeport 108
Lauren Cline, Parkersburg South 108
Maddie Erwin, Winfield 99
Lakyn Parker, John Marshall 97
Lauren Tekely, John Marshall 96
Kenzie Parker, Winfield 111
Olivia Foley, Parkersburg South 117
Avery Fife, Ripley 97
Faith Yoho, Magnolia 121
April Schaber, John Marshall 122
Sydney Coss, John Marshall 121
Ashlyn Donahew, Ripley 108
Kaylee Criner, Braxton County 114
Bethany Schaber, John Marshall 115
Josie Montgomery, Calhoun County 98
Kaylie Blackburn, Ripley 117
Savannah Richards, John Marshall 129
Pepper McCormick, Calhoun County 122
Tristen Gillenwater, Sherman 141
Bridgette Knapp, Union 139
Ema Lilly, Independence 118
Taylor Isaac, Summers County 128
Payten Clark, John Marshall 122
Maggie Siley, Williamstown 114
Maddie Ohlinger, Wahama 103
Amelia Muscari, Westside 93
Madison Stellato, Trinity 129
Elora Spradlin, Wayne 131
Alley Denny, Woodrow Wilson 107
Ella Hess, Calhoun County 137
Suzanne Bicksler, Greenbrier East 105
Gianna Koski, Fairmont 131
Jaclyn Smith, Trinity 95
Madeline Beard, Greenbrier East 130
Trista Arnold, Calhoun County 130
BACK NINE ONLY, par 36
Grace Yan, Morgantown 52
Anistyn Collins, Huntington St. Joe 59
Ada Chen, Ritchie County 60
Erin Vilsack, Huntington St. Joe 60
Kaitlyn Hadley, Hedgesville 64
Ashlyn Ruest, Hedgesville 66
Hailey Bennett, Winfield 67
Amelia Kaste, John Marshall 70
Hadley Banks, University 71
Abby Sheller, Wheeling Park 71
Paige Messner, John Marshall 75
Madison Barr, Independence 79
Mya Hough, Gilmer County 84
Megan Huff, John Marshall WD
NOTE: Eight players were not allowed to participate due to Mountain State COVID-19 restrictions.
George Washington’s Emma Nicol and Kiara Bartoli, Herbert Hoover’s Chloe Painter and Chloe Sovine, Riverside’s Brooklyn Fidler and Raven Nicholas as well as Charleston Catholic’s Jenna DeTemple and Marley Fredeking will be allowed to compete at a later date if possible and still earn all-tournament honors.