After not qualifying for the state championships for two years, WJ golf has now done it twice in a row. The team finished fourth in the county during the regular season, with a 9-7-2 record, but jumped up to third place at the district competition.

At districts, the six-man team finished third with a total score of 305, thanks in large part to standout junior Jake Griffin. Considered one of the best golfers in the state, Griffin finished the regular season with the best average per nine holes at WJ and the second best in the entire county. He only continued his dominance at districts, leading not only WJ but every other golfer at the competition by shooting just 68 strokes.

Sophomore Jordan Frost also exceeded expectations this year, raising his average per nine holes almost a whole stroke from last year. He looks to continue to play well and help the team win states.

Joining Griffin and Frost at the state championships will be seniors Owen Porter and Teddy New. WJ has never won the state championship before, but they are ready to end that drought and have set some lofty goals.

“I feel like we have a good chance to win [states] as a team and I expect myself to win individually,” Griffin said.

The state semifinals will be held October 28 at the University of Maryland golf course, and if WJ makes it to the finals, that tournament will be October 30, also at the University of Maryland.