O’Neal Girls’ Golf Wins Third Straight NCISAA State Championship

The 2023 NCISAA State tournament returned to a two-day event for the first time since 2019. While O’Neal enjoyed remarkable success, the course was set up at over 6,000 yards and played with a high degree of difficulty on the first day. The Falcons opened up with a 26-shot team lead over Forsyth Country Day School after Day 1. Sophomores Rachel Joyce and Sofi Afable led the way for the Falcons with rounds of 78 and 81 respectively. Joyce ranked in 2^nd place and Afable 6^th. Seniors Lauren Kuhn and Audrey Kim kept in touching distance of the leaders, with rounds of 85, and lay in a tie for 9^th. Another highlight on the afternoon came from 7^th grader, Natalia Henderson who shot 85 and kept pace with the top 10 in 13^th place.  Head Coach John Casson shared, “For four of our players to be in the top 10 individually after day one, was a testament to how we have played all year. The course was ever so difficult on the 1^st day and despite shooting higher scores than we are used to, we hung around and were well placed.”  

 

The NCISAA set up a little friendlier golf course on Day 2 which saw scores drop. O’Neal’s girls continued their collective team push for the championship. They finished with a team score of +48, beating Forsyth Country Day School (+111) into second place and Asheville Christian School (+120) into third. O’Neal’s girls enjoyed five players in the top 10 of the State Tournament. Rachel Joyce earned 4^th place; Sofi Afable was 5^th. Co-captains Lauren Kuhn and Audrey Kim signed off their O’Neal careers tying for 6^th place and Natalia Henderson completed her first season with an 8th-place finish. As individuals, the same five girls (Rachel Joyce, Sofi Afable, Lauren Kuhn, Audrey Kim, and Natalia Henderson) were also honored by making the season’s All-State team. This is earned through 50 percent of the girls’ season scores and 50 percent from the two rounds at the state tournament. Also qualifying for the state tournament this year from O’Neal were juniors, Kayleigh Goins and Fiona Surber and 8^th graders Livi Afable and Charlotte Schroen. 

 

Coach Casson reveled in the team’s season and accomplishments. “This was a team effort. Nine of our student-athletes qualified for the State Tournament as individuals. We had five students selected to the All-State team (for their season and championship efforts). That is really impressive. The results speak for themselves. What you don’t see is the hard work these girls put into their preparation weekly. It’s not always easy and yet with committed individuals and strong senior leadership, it is no accident we enjoyed such success.”   

 

Athletic Director, James Franklin shared his pride in the team’s results, too. Franklin added, “This team works when no one is watching them. They always find a way to be competitive and play with continual grit and determination. It’s this work ethic and drive that has led to strong showings in the state championship and all season long.”   

 

Girls Golf began as a competitive team at O’Neal six years ago. The team has won four State Championships and has come in 2^nd place once. With eight returning student-athletes expected to play on the 2024 team, the Falcons will look to continue their strong record. Next year, O’Neal will look to secure a fifth overall State Championship and fourth consecutive win.