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Cooper Tegtmeyer played his best round leading the way for the Trojans. Photo by Jim Freeman

ARCANUM — The Arcanum boys golf team completed an undefeated WOAC dual-match season in record-setting fashion Thursday at Beechwood Golf Course.

The Trojans fired a one-under-par 143 against Tri-County North, establishing a new nine-hole school record while improving to 11-0 in the conference and 15-1 overall.

All four of Arcanum’s scoring golfers shot 37 or better.

Junior Cooper Tegtmeyer led the Trojans with a two-under-par 34, his best round of the season. Senior Aiden Carlisle followed with a one-under-par 35, which coach Andy Bryant believed was also his best score of the year.

Kaiden Hickey shoots a 37 in route to a team record. Photo by Jim Freeman

Senior Luke Stephens and junior Kaiden Hickey completed the record-setting total with matching rounds of 37.

Together, the four scores placed Arcanum one stroke under par as a team.

Bryant clarified that Thursday’s accomplishment was different from the record Arcanum established earlier this season.

“The record we broke before was the 18-hole tournament record,” Bryant said. “This was the nine-hole record, which I didn’t think would ever be beat.”

The previous nine-hole mark was established by another strong Arcanum team playing the front nine at the former Cliffside Golf Course. Because that side of the course was favorable for low scoring and is no longer available, Bryant believed the record might remain untouched.

This year’s Trojans surpassed it at Beechwood behind four outstanding individual rounds.

“We shot 143 tonight,” Bryant said. “It was great.”

The performance provided a fitting conclusion to Arcanum’s WOAC dual-match schedule. The Trojans entered Thursday 10-0 in conference play and 14-1 overall before defeating Tri-County North to complete a perfect run through their 11 WOAC opponents.

Arcanum’s success has been fueled by both high-level individual play and exceptional depth.

Luke Stephens shoots a 37 in the record setting round. Photo by Jim Freeman

Stephens leads the WOAC with a 36.4 scoring average, 2.6 strokes better than the next golfer in the conference standings. Hickey ranks 10th with a 41.1 average, followed by Carlisle in 11th at 41.7.

Tegtmeyer ranks 15th with a 42.6 average, while senior Cohen Etherington is 16th at 42.7. Altogether, Arcanum has five golfers ranked among the top 16 and eight among the top 26 in the WOAC.

That depth was on full display Thursday. While Stephens delivered another solid round, Tegtmeyer and Carlisle recorded season-best performances, and Hickey added another 37.

The result was a balanced performance in which every scoring golfer contributed a 37 or better.

Stephens, who finished fourth at last year’s OHSAA state tournament, has consistently led the Trojans throughout the season. However, Thursday’s round demonstrated that Arcanum has several golfers capable of producing low scores on any given day.

Arcanum has now established new nine-hole and 18-hole school records during a season in which the Trojans have remained unbeaten against WOAC competition.

Aiden Carlisle shot a season best 35 in the record setting performance. Photo by Jim Freeman

With the WOAC tournament and postseason approaching, Thursday’s performance also suggests the Trojans are peaking at the right time.

After dominating the conference dual-match portion of their schedule, Arcanum will now attempt to carry that momentum—and its record-setting form—into the biggest rounds of the season.

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(Arcanum's Luke Stephens led the Trojans to a 160-181 win over Preble Shawnee)

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

LIBERTY, INDIANA — Arcanum’s boys golf team has put together an impressive regular season, but coach Andy Bryant wants the Trojans to be remembered for more than what they accomplish before the postseason.

The Trojans remained unbeaten in Western Ohio Athletic Conference play with a 160-181 victory over Preble Shawnee on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Liberty Country Club.

Arcanum improved to 10-0 in conference play and holds a two-match lead over Tri-Village, National Trail and Newton, which are each 8-2. Preble Shawnee fell to 5-3.

Senior Luke Stephens, who finished fourth at the OHSAA state tournament last season, earned medalist honors with a 36 to lead the Trojans.

Junior Kaiden Hickey followed with a 39, while seniors Cohen Etherington and Daniel Kerns carded a 42 and 43, respectively. Cooper Tegtmeyer added a 44.

Bryant said a 160 was near the Trojans’ season average and was a solid performance on a course that presented some challenges, particularly for players who had never played it.

“Our average is just under 160,” Bryant said. “It's always good when you shoot your average at a course that could be tough and it could bite you. So, we played pretty good today.”

Bryant said the Trojans didn't finish the round as strongly as they normally have this season, but he was pleased with the overall performance.

That performance was another example of the depth that has helped Arcanum establish itself at the top of the WOAC standings.

The program has 22 golfers, and Bryant said the competition for spots has remained positive throughout the season. Arcanum's top 12 golfers are averaging approximately 46 or better, giving the Trojans options when determining their lineup.

“I have seven here tonight that proves that at any given moment I can take one out and put another one in,” Bryant said. “They've been competing against each other all year, but what I'm thankful for is at least I haven't seen any negatives, and it's all been positive, motivating each other, encouraging each other, and that's why it feels good as a team.”

Hickey has played well in his second season with the Trojans after playing only half of last season following a transfer. Bryant also pointed to the contributions of Etherington and Kerns, along with senior Aidan Carlisle.

Etherington made a par putt on his final hole against Preble Shawnee that helped the Trojans finish at 160.

While Arcanum's success in conference play has surpassed Bryant's expectations in his first season leading the boys program, he has emphasized that the team's larger goals extend beyond the regular season.

“We've exceeded expectations, but the thing I've always talked about, at least from a Trojan perspective, one thing I want to get the Trojan mindset back into is we might be great during the regular season, but we need to be considered a postseason team,” Bryant said.

“So we're focusing on the postseason, on the sectionals and districts. And we want to make sure we show that the harder the course, the better the teams, we can still shoot the same numbers and still compete at that high level. That's our goals.”

Stephens figures prominently in those postseason hopes.

The senior has continued the form that carried him to a fourth-place finish at state last season. Bryant praised Stephens' composure and ability to recover when a round doesn't begin the way he wants.

“There aren't many people in the area, regardless of how easy or hard the courses are, that have 15 rounds at par or better in a season,” Bryant said.

Bryant recalled an earlier tournament on a challenging course where Stephens struggled on the front nine before responding with a 33 on the back nine and finishing near the top of the field.

“He keeps great composure,” Bryant said.

Preble Shawnee countered Tuesday with senior Gage Powers, who shot a 39.

Junior Grant Buell and freshman Brantly Cross each finished with a 46 for the Arrows. Freshman Mason Moore and junior Will Gulley each shot 51, while junior Blaine Singleton carded a 53.

Despite the loss, Preble Shawnee coach Ryan Klapper has been pleased with what his team has accomplished with a lineup combining experienced golfers with several younger players.

“We've had a nice season up to this point,” Klapper said. “We've had some pretty good leadership out of our older guys, and the younger guys have done OK. Maybe even a little better than I expected, and so that's gotten us off to a good start in the conference.”

Klapper said the Arrows have exceeded his expectations considering the inexperience he anticipated having in the lineup this season.

Powers has been a steady presence for the Arrows. Now in his fourth season with the program, the senior has developed from a golfer who spent much of his freshman season learning and refining his swing into a potential first-team all-conference player.

“The work he has put in has paid off, and he's put himself in position to earn first-team honors in the WOAC and possibly qualify out of our sectional,” Klapper said.

Both teams will soon turn their attention toward the WOAC tournament, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 17, at Turtle Creek Golf Club.

Arcanum enters the tournament with plenty of familiarity and confidence at Turtle Creek. The Trojans played there earlier this season and set a school record, while several Arcanum golfers regularly play or work at the course.

“We've been prepping for that all year,” Bryant said. “They've been going up there playing, so we're ready to go. We're excited.”

For Bryant, the tournament represents another opportunity for the Trojans to begin turning their regular-season success into the postseason reputation he wants the program to build.

(Photo Courtesy Champine Photography)

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

WEST ALEXANDRIA — Experience will be one of Twin Valley South’s biggest assets this season as the Panthers look to turn last year’s progress into a winning campaign.

Third-year varsity coach Mary Johnson welcomes back an experienced group after South finished 11-11 overall and 6-6 in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference last season.

The .500 finish continued the Panthers’ steady improvement under Johnson. South went 10-13 overall and 5-7 in the WOAC during her first varsity season. Johnson, who previously spent two seasons coaching at the middle school level, enters this year with a 21-24 varsity record and an 11-13 conference mark.

After reaching one of the program’s initial goals last season, Johnson said the Panthers are ready to set their sights higher.

“With several key players graduating and changes within the coaching staff, I am excited about the opportunity for our team to compete at a high level in the WOAC this season,” Johnson said. “Our goal has always been to achieve a .500 season, which we accomplished last year. This year, we are raising the bar and challenging ourselves to build on that success and finish the season with a winning record.”

South should benefit from plenty of familiarity within its lineup, with the Panthers bringing back a veteran group that already understands Johnson’s system and expectations.

Adding to that group are junior defensive specialist Clair Napier and sophomore middle hitter Kamryn Metzger, who will provide additional depth to the varsity lineup.

Johnson expects the Panthers’ experience and versatility to be strengths as they navigate another challenging WOAC schedule.

“Each of our players plays a vital part in our success this year, with them all bringing well-balanced skill and knowledge to the court,” Johnson said.

For South, however, improvement will not be measured solely by its record.

The Panthers will again center their program around the theme “One Team, One Purpose, One Family,” emphasizing relationships, support and a willingness to play for one another.

“Our focus this season will continue to be One Team, One Purpose, One Family,” Johnson said. “We will come together, support one another, and rally around one of our own while embracing the true meaning of being part of a team.”

Johnson said those relationships are an important part of what she wants players to take away from their time in the program.

“Volleyball is more than just a sport — it is about building relationships, creating lasting memories, supporting each other through challenges, and being part of something bigger than ourselves,” she said.

After taking another step forward last season, South enters 2026 with a veteran roster, increased expectations and a clear objective. The Panthers have reached the .500 mark. Now, they will try to use their experience and team-first mentality to climb above it and make a move in the WOAC standings.

The Panthers are currently 3-6 overall and 0-2 in the WOAC. They are scheduled to play Franklin Monroe (Thursday) and Arcanum (Saturday) later this week.

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

(Photo Courtesy of Champine Photography)

By Eddie Mowen Jr.

CAMDEN — A veteran group of runners has Preble Shawnee cross country coach Jess Worley optimistic about what the Arrows can accomplish this fall.

Worley, now in her seventh season leading the program, returns several accomplished runners on the boys side, including four who qualified for the regional meet last season. While the boys will lean heavily on experience, the Arrows will focus on developing a young girls roster.

“We have a strong group of returning juniors and seniors,” Worley said. “Looking good for our boys this season and rebuilding our girls team.”

Dennis Hall and Evan Shields headline the returning group after earning all-league and all-county recognition in each of the past three seasons. Both advanced to the regional meet last fall and enter their sixth season running for the program.

Alex Meyers provides additional experience after earning all-league honors last season. He was also an all-county selection in both 2024 and 2025.

Junior Kyle Bruno is another runner the Arrows will count on this season. Entering his fifth year with the program, Bruno has earned all-league and all-county honors in each of the past two seasons and qualified for the regional meet last fall.

With Hall, Shields, Meyers and Bruno forming an experienced nucleus, Preble Shawnee hopes to be among the stronger boys teams in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference while positioning itself for another successful postseason run.

Madison Moore gives the Arrows an accomplished veteran on the girls side. A six-year runner, Moore has earned all-league and all-county honors in each of the past three seasons and advanced to the regional meet last year.

Preble Shawnee will also begin developing its next group of runners with four freshmen joining the program. Garrett Wysong, Eli Duckworth, Dylan Lowery and Makaela Henry are newcomers this season.

The mix of proven upperclassmen and younger runners gives Worley two different objectives this fall — competing at a high level with an experienced boys group while laying the foundation for the future of the girls program.

With multiple postseason-tested runners returning, the Arrows will look to remain competitive in the WOAC and again have individuals running deep into the postseason.