West honored after 4th straight trip to state tourney
The Newark Catholic boys golf team has reached the Division III state tournament in all four of Phil West’s seasons as coach, finishing second last year and this fall.
“I didn’t want this season to end, but they all have to,” West said. “I’m going to miss those seniors, but we have some good players coming back. That’s what’s pretty cool about what those seniors helped put together. We’re going to be OK.” For his efforts, West has been named The Dispatch’s All-metro Boys Golf Coach of the Year.
His Green Wave lost the state title by the slimmest of margins, falling to Warren JFK by one shot, 648-649, after the teams entered the second round tied at 320.
In 2022, Newark Catholic also finished second (664) behind Cincinnati Seven Hills (659). The Green Wave finished third in 2020 and 2021.
West said seniors Brian Luft, Nathan
Riggleman and Max Vanoy sparked this year’s success. Vanoy tied for 12th (155) at state, while Luft tied for 33rd (168) and Riggleman tied for 36th (169).
“When they came in, things changed at our school in terms of golf,” West said. ”All three did something extra special for us at one time or another, and that’s what was so cool.”
All three will compete in college – Vanoy at Tiffin, Riggleman at Findlay and Luft at Barton in Wilson, North Carolina.
Luft, who was LCL Player of the Year this fall, credits West for his success.
“I seem to get a little frustrated on the course and coach was always there for me when I needed help,“Luft said. “He kept me in a calm mood.”
West took over the program after serving as an assistant coach for the girls team for three seasons. Prior to that, he was an assistant boys coach at Granville for 12 seasons.
Returning next year for West will be junior Brogan Sullivan and sophomore Bobby Kieber. Sullivan tied for 31st at state (167) after winning district (70), and Kieber tied for 20th at state (161).