Badger golf makes history heading into state tournament

KINSMAN , Ohio (WKBN) – Badger boys golf is heading to the state tournament for the second consecutive season in a row.

“It’s just with a small school, you only have phenomenal athletes come through every ten years or so, we actually have two that we’re in the same grade,” said Badger head coach Mark Mariani. “We may not see two athletes like this again for ten or 20 years.”

Badger’s two standouts are senior Austin Mariani and Ian Tricker who both were on the team for Badger’s 2023 state title run.

Last season was the first year Badger boys golf had ever advanced to the state tournament. This season, the Braves have made school history yet again by making the state tournament for a second consecutive year.

Coach Mariani said the Braves narrowly made the 2024 state tournament.

“We just made it, we were the third place team to qualify and then at the district tournaments once again, we were the last team to qualify in third place,” said Coach Mariani. “So we’ve been kind of doing it with smoke and mirrors.”

Badger punched their ticket to the state tournament with a third-place finish in the Division III District Tournament. The Braves totaled a score of 335 and earned their trip to states by six full strokes at Tannehauf Golf Club.

“Being the underdog, it’s fun, it’d be a surprise for everyone. There’s a lot of tough private schools in the Division Three for golf,” said Senior Badger golfer Austin Mariani . “I think it would be a shock to a lot of people, a small public school coming out on top.”

“I feel like we’ve been pretty resilient in order to make it back again,” said Coach Mariani. “Our top two players I’d put up against anybody in the state.”

Badger’s state team has a roster of five students. The team consists of Austin Mariani, Ian Tricker, Jacob Metz, Brody Shay, and Tyler McWilliams.

Coach Mariani said for the 2023 state tournament the weather conditions were not ideal, with rain and wind. The Badger coach said his players are more confident for the 2024 tournament with a better weather outlook.

“Obviously a win would be pretty cool, but just do the best I can,” said Senior Badger golfer Ian Tricker. “It’s the second year Badger has gone to states for golf, I hope there’s many more.”

“Yeah, I think we changed this program around,” said Austin Mariani. “I think that if we inspire the next generation, I think the program could stay at this level.”

Badger starts tournament play Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12 at North Star Golf Club in Sunbury, Ohio.

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