Depth contributes to Raider charge
Oak Hill Academy has experienced that state championship winning feeling again on the golf course.
The Raiders have accomplished that feat eighthstraight times now with the latest taking place at Mossy Oak Golf Course on Tuesday.
It was one of Oak Hill's finest moments.
With a winning spread of 43 strokes, the Raiders claimed the Class 4A title and clinched all top five medalist spots. Oak Hill shot a team score of 287 for 1-under par, while second place Canton Academy carded 330 for 42-over par.
Jacob Blanton, an Ole Miss commit, was the medalist at the state championship meet for the Raiders with a score of 68 for 4-under par and Jackson Cook was second with 2-under par. Blanton was the only Oak Hill player to be under par for the season. From 2021-23, the Raiders had two to three players average under par.
Coach VJ Trolio has developed a golfing dynasty at Oak Hill and it may not be coming to an end anytime soon.
“The 2024 team had depth,” Trolio said. “With this team, the scoring was solid and there is room for improvement. The most notable event of the year as a coach was Henry Coker shooting 72 and leading OHA's second team to a win at the Jackson Prep Invitational. That shows OHA's depth and we will encourage the athletes that are upperclassmen to continue and lead on and off the field of competition.”
The Raiders that made of the state championship team are Blanton, Cook, George Bryan, Walker Gary, Claire Henson and Seth Lockhart.
With 12-13 players involved in this year's Oak Hill program, there were times it had a group play an event on a Monday, then had a whole different team participate at another tournament on Tuesday. During the week of the North State Tournament, another team of Raiders were involved with an event against MRA, Jackson Prep and Jackson Academy.
Oak Hill Athletic Director Phil Ferguson remains proud of the success produced by Trolio and the golf program.
“The process occurring is obviously working,” Ferguson said. “When you look at the Division I athletes that are turning out of that program, you are talking about 100% of the seniors the last few years have signed a college scholarship and most of those being Division I. With the work and the time those kids put in, it's not just show up with the golf ball. There are tons of hours they put in to be special and VJ has nurtured that.
“It's certainly unique and special. We are very blessed to have VJ and Old Waverly.”