At regionals Tuesday in Huntington, Parkersburg South golfer Cameron Fallon advanced as an individual who was not a member of a qualifying school for next week's Class AAA state tournament. (Photo by Ryan Fischer)

HUNTINGTON — The weather man said a low pressure system was present, but Cabell Midland overcame high pressure to win the Class AAA, Region IV high school golf tournament Tuesday.

The Knights shot 222 as a team on the par-71, 6,523-yard course. That was four shots better than Hurricane. Parkersburg South came in at 229, followed by Winfield at 235, Parkersburg 258, Nitro 263, Capital 269 and Huntington High 291. Spring Valley had no team score.

Jack Michael of Cabell Midland shared medalist honors with Cam Fallon of Parkersburg South, each with a 73.

The top two teams qualify for the state tournament Oct. 8-9 at the Ogelbay Resort in Wheeling. The two highest-finishing golfers — Fallon along with Stephen McDavid of Winfield — on non-qualifying teams also qualified.

“Winning on our home course was important just to show that we can,” Knights coach Matt Stead said. “We’ve gotten beat down the stretch a few times by Hurricane and Winfield. To come out on top definitely feels good.”

Stead said his team felt pressure playing at Guyan.

“Surprisingly, yes,” Stead said. “The scores weren’t real low today. It was a one-day, pressure-packed event. If something goes wrong, you’re out. I was happy with our team. We didn’t have the best day, but we have a pretty good day. We call it the region of death because there are four or five deserving teams here. Four of these teams could finish in the top four or five of the state tournament.”

Controversy emerged in the battle for individual qualifiers. Fallon secured one spot and Spring Valley’s Bailey Christian also carded a 73. Officials determined an incorrect recording of a shot and subsequent signed scorecard by Christian led to his disqualification allowing Winfield’s Stephen McDavid, who fired a 76, to claim the second individual spot.

Neither Michael nor Fallon said he was particularly pleased with his round on the overcast day when light rain fell from time to time.

“The team did awesome,” Michael said. “I’m proud of everybody. They showed up on a day when I didn’t have my best stuff. It’s really good to see.”

Michael said he drove the ball well but struggled in the short game. Fallon said his day was the opposite. He carded a seven on the par-4 fourth hole, but birdied No. 18 to catch Michael, who shot par on the last hole.

“I started off 1-under,” Fallon said. “The I had a seven. I grinded it out and kept going. It was a grind out there. I kept my head and got it done, but my putting was one of the worst days I’ve ever had.”

Wyatt Maynard backed Michael with a 74. Carson Sergent scored 75 and Alex White 77. For Hurricane, Carson O’Dell shot 74, Josh Gooden 75, Parker O’Dell 77 and Kellen Pauley 79.

“It feels great to go to the state tournament, but it wasn’t looking great most of the day,” Carson O’Dell said. “Somehow the guys who needed to step up stepped up and got it done.”

Catholic’s Lewis

qualifies in ‘A’

ELIZABETH – It’s all in the family for Daniel Lewis.

On Monday, the junior from Parkersburg Catholic advanced to the Class A state golf tournament as an individual qualifier – the same accomplishment turned in several time by his older cousin Blake Lewis, who graduated in 2023.

In Class A, Region I at Miingo Bottom Golf Course, Lewis shot a 90 to earn a spot at next week’s state tournament in Wheeling for the first time.

“Daniel struggled his freshman year then struggled early as a sophomore,” PCHS second-year coach Mike Atkinson said. “We worked on his driver the last couple weeks to get ready. He got his driver his driver down and that made the difference. He was hitting shorter irons into the green.”

St. Marys walked away from the team title with a score of 216, while Tyler Consolidated placed runner-up at 257 and also earned a trip to state. The Knights four golfers consisted of J.J. Smith (83), John Mace (81), Luke Deaton (93) and Colby Nichols (257).

Ritchie County placed third in the seven-team field with a team score of 287, while Parkersburg Catholic was fourth at 295. The Crusaders were without the services of No. 2 golfer Carson Logston who was still wearing a walking boot. Otherwise, Lewis was the Crusaders’ No. 3 golfer.

“I think Daniel is still floating,” Atkinson said. “He surprised Scott (Daniel’s father and PCHS assistant coach)and me a little bit.”

The other individual qualifying not a member of a qualifying team was Clay-Battelle’s Ryan Parker (87).