OVU, FSU, UC Top WVIAC Men's Golf Coaches' Poll

(PRINCETON, WV)---2007-08 will be a season of change in many ways for West Virginia Conference men's golf, but the league's 15 head coaches are calling for established favorites to be at the front of the conference's championship chase.

Ohio Valley, Fairmont State, and Charleston each grabbed four first place votes apiece and are atop the coaches' poll.  Ohio Valley held a slight edge with 180 points with Fairmont State garnering 178 points in the voting.  Charleston is third with 174 points.  West Liberty State earned the other first place vote and is fourth in the preseason ranking.

Concord, Shepherd, Wheeling Jesuit, and West Virginia Wesleyan hold down the fifth through the eighth positions.  Glenville State, Bluefield State, Salem International, and Davis & Elkins are slotted eighth through twelveth.  Pitt Johnstown, Seton Hill, and West Virginia State round out the poll.

The WVIAC will shift to a fall championship like many other NCAA Division II leagues in colder climes.  The October 15-17 event will also have a new home as it moves to the Stonewall Resort's Palmer Signature Course.  The 7,149 yard, par-72 layout is ranked 23rd among the nation's top 100 resort courses by Golfweek magazine.

Ohio Valley, which lost a playoff to Charleston in last season's WVIAC Championship, is led by returning All-WVIAC performer J.C. Beecroft and junior Ben Harwood.  Sophomore John Moon qualified for the U.S. Amateur.

Fairmont State made their first appearance at the NCAA Division II National Championship after claiming the East Region in 2007.  The Falcons should be primed again with the return of East Region medalist Will Gautreau.  Senior Justin Caroli earned All-WVIAC honors last season and recorded a tie for tenth place in the West Virginia Amateur.  Freshman Ben Palmer was the individual Class AAA state champ for Parkersburg South HS last spring and placed seventh at the State Am.

Seniors Korey Pettit and Stephen Maynard are the leaders for defending conference champion Charleston.  The Golden Eagles must replace 2006-07 WVIAC Player of the Year Michael Todd and standout Brandon Reece, a first team All-WVIAC honoree. 

West Liberty State boasts the league's most decorated player in senior Matt Hicks.  The Sissonville, WV native enjoyed a fantastic summer that saw him finish second at the West Virginia Amateur, notch a top six finish at the West Virginia Open, and qualify for the U.S. Amateur.  The Hilltoppers also return four other regulars from last season's squad.

2007-08 WVIAC Men's Golf Coaches' Poll