BY WENDI REARDON
Clarkston News Sports Writer
It was three years in the making for the Mountaineers and the work paid off as they won the MHSAA Boys Golf Division 4 State Championship by 28 strokes at Michigan State University, June 10-11.
“After our first taste of what it was like when we qualified for it in 2014 the boys felt it was something if they worked hard at we could accomplish,” said David Smith, head coach. “Since then every year at the start of the season that was what we geared our matches and practice towards. The school hadn’t won a state championship in any sport up to that point. It motivated the boys to be the first team to do it.”
He added Tyler Rozwadowski, the team’s captain and four year varsity player, pushed the guys hard.
“His work ethic, energy and confidence was contagious,” Smith said.
During the two-day tournament the boys scored 637.
Rozwadowski led the team and took second place overall with 149. Joe McMahon finished in sixth place with 155. Mitchell Lowney finished with 164; Nick Korns, 169; and JC James, 176.
“It’s going to to be really hard to do something like that ever again,” said Smith. “It was sometimes stressful but exciting to be part of.”
For the season, the Mountaineers also won the regional title for the second consecutive year with 333, June 1. They won the Catholic League Central Division going undefeated in the league and also won districts
“For a school that has only 50 or so boys in the high school it was amazing to see how hard they worked to be competitive against much larger schools,” Smith said. “It was only possible because they enjoyed each other’s company and were having fun. While I say they really worked hard I’m not sure they saw it that way. For them it was a game, and they were all having a ball playing it and couldn’t wait to get out there each day and compete.”
Smith added the Mountaineers’ teammanager helped in their success.
“She was over the top in making the plans for every match and tournament,” he said. “From transportation, to snacks, to drinks, to sandwiches for tournaments and even clothing for rain or snow. I really believe that had a lot to do with our success. I mean when she booked rooms for states in December so we would be close to the golf course allowing the boys the opportunity to practice after their rounds each night it doesn’t get any better than that.”
He added the whole season was perfect and with the underclassmen the Mountaineers should be successful for years to come.
“Being as strong as we were allowed us to put in freshman in most of our matches which allowed them to see what they needed to work on to be competitive,” he said.
“Their experience should now carry over into future years and allow us to continue being a team that can compete at the state level.”

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