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Arcanums Luke Stephens holds up the 15th hole flag where he hit a hole in one in the DII Boys State Golf Championship.  (Abbey Moore photo)

DAYTON – Arcanum golfer Luke Stephens capped a great junior year in boys golf with a thrilling finish at the OHSAA Boys DII State Golf Tournament held at the famed NCR Country Club South which ranks 68th on Golfweek’s Top 100 Classic list of courses to play.

Arcanum’s golf team had a great season finishing in a tie with National Trail for a WOAC League championship and Luke Stephens shared the Conference Player of the Year award with National Trail’s Kellen Laird.

In post season the Arcanum boys golf team played in the OHSAA DII Golf Sectional in Springfield at Windy Knoll, but the team did not advance, however, Luke Stephens would qualify as an individual to the district tournament.

The District Tournament took place at Pipe Stone Golf Course in Miamisburg, Ohio and after 9-holes Stephens appeared to be in great shape shooting even par 36, then a 39 on the back nine for a solid 75, just three over par. 

It was a good finish for Luke, but he couldn’t help but think about his team having to play for the first time without them this season.

“It’s nice having my team out there playing and playing with them, so it was a little more difficult without them because it’s more fun with them.  We made a lot of good memories together this season,” Stephens shared.

While Stephens will still have those memories with his team … he would make some special individual memories few ever get to experience.

He ended district play in a tie with Jacob Lewis of Indian Hill who got hot on the back nine firing a 35, and a 75 for 18 to force a playoff with Stephens for the final individual qualifying spot to move on to state.

The two went back to the 1st tee a 353-yard par 4 to settle it.  Stephens reached the green in regulation and lagged a putt close to the hole.  His opponent needed to make a good putt for par and came up short, and all Stephens needed to do was tap in his par to go to state.

“I just went out and had fun and tried to play relaxed. Towards the end I knew it would be close, so I did feel some pressure, I had a little bit of nerves in that playoff especially the tap in putt and was so relieved once it went in,” Stephens stated.

After he made the putt his mom (Mary) and dad (John) who were on-hand, hugged – embracing the moment, obviously proud of their son.  John also happens to be the Superintendent at Arcanum Butler Schools.

Luke flanked by mom (Mary) on his right & dad (John) on his left, are all smiles after he won a playoff hole at district to advance to the state tournament. (Abbey Moore photo)

“The support from my parents means the world to me, they’ve supported me for my entire life and play a huge part of where I am today,” Luke said.

Luke became the 4th boys golfer in school history to reach a state tournament in golf.

Matt Haupt made it in 1994.  Andrew Bryant, who is currently a teacher at Arcanum and two-time WOAC girls’ golf “Coach of the Year” for Arcanum, made it in 1998 and Mitchell Brown qualified in 2010.  Brown was coached at that time by current boys golf coach Kip Gray who was also this years WOAC boys "Coach of the Year" as well.

Luke would get the opportunity to tee it up at the NCR Country Club unaware that he was about do something special that most golfers can only dream about.

“Going in my mindset was to have fun and enjoy the experience because it doesn’t come too often,” Luke said.

Luke started his state championship 1st round play on hole #10 with a par, then had back-to-back bogies on 11,12 a par on 13, and another bogey on 14. 

After five holes he was three over, but things were about to change on hole 15, a 197-yard par 3 that slopes right to left with a bunker on the right and fescue on the left.

Arcanum boys golf coach Kip Gray advised Luke on how to play the hole by hitting the ball to the front right green and the ball would funnel left and down to the back pin placement.

Luke would take a 6-iron and executed exactly as instructed and true to form the ball rolled down the hill to the back and into the cup for a hole in one. 

Luke tosses the ball after his hole-in-one to his coach Kip Gray. (Abbey Moore photo)

“When I hit it I actually didn’t think it was going to be good, it felt like it was a little thin. I saw it land on the front right side of the green and since it funnels right to left I thought there could be a chance it could get close … but I didn’t get to see it go in,” Stephens said.

“I turned away and then heard yelling, and the crowd went crazy so that’s how I found out I made it,” Luke said.

“I still can’t believe I made a hole in one! It was crazy to me because I never expected it. It didn’t feel real at the moment.”

Luke’s parents were at the green and his mom (Mary) described the moment.

“We were with fans from our group and even the group ahead of ours all cheered so loud when it dropped. The coaches from other schools were hugging him and the other players were giving him high fives. They showed great respect for the game and sportsmanship and then they waited to let him go retrieve his ball before stepping on the green,” Mary said.

A hole-in-one on the biggest stage in high school prep sports in a state championship tournament is something one can only dream about, and Lukes reaction was one of almost disbelief.

“I honestly didn’t know how to react after I made it. I had never made a hole in one before, I guess that’s the best time to do it, what a great moment and it is by far my best memory on a golf course,” Stephens summed up.

The NCR Country Club was gracious enough to present Stephens the 15th hole flag as a keepsake to honor his achievement after the match concluded.

In all that excitement it would be understandable that it might take a while to come down from the moment.  Luke gave back two strokes the next hole then rebounded with a birdie on hole #17.  He finished hole 18 with a par and after nine holes he was on top of the leaderboard at +2 with a 37.

Luke would turn in his card after the full round shooting 77 and was tied for 4th place overall with the second round to play on Tuesday October 7th.

No doubt the first round was a lot of fun … but one would have to question how much fun round two would be as the conditions drastically changed from Monday.  They weren’t suitable for even the staunchest golfing die-hards with monsoon type down pours and poor visibility.   

“I felt a little pressure going into the second round because I knew if I had a good round I would be competing for one of the top spots,” Luke said going into the 2nd round.

He wasn’t counting on fighting the elements along with nerves and after 7 holes he was 7 over but those conditions affected everyone’s play and Luke still was in the hunt.

But eventually the second round was cancelled as the course deteriorated beyond playable conditions and none of the play from that day counted in the final standings.

“I was expecting some rain … but I definitely wasn’t expecting that much. Those conditions made it super tough to score low. I tried my best to enjoy it as it was my last day of the season and boy was I was relieved once they called it,” Stephens cited.

Due to the cancellation, they reverted back to Monday’s scores to determine the final standings for the OHSAA DII Boys Golf State Championship.

Based on that Luke finished in 4th place.  It would be the highest placement for any boys golfer in school history, and he earned First Team All-State honors.

“This was just a great experience, NCR was by far the best course I’ve played, and I’ve never played anything like it,” Stephens shared.

Although Luke put in the work and his time he was complimentary to a number of people who helped him along the way.

“I’d like to thank coach (Kip) Gray, Coach Mac, my teammates and everyone who has supported me this season. I would also like to thank Mr. Cates and Coach Moore for their support as well. Also, I would like to shout out Coach Macy and Coach Zell for keeping me healthy through some back issues I had this season. They have helped a lot,” Stephens stated.

“I’m so thankful for this opportunity and I couldn’t have done it without everyone here supporting me and helping me along the way. The community’s support has been really special to me,” Luke admonished.

Luke also thanked his parents who were with him every step of the way and they talked about what it meant to them as well.

“We were just flooded with emotions … joy and excitement and honestly a bit of relief knowing he had done it,” John Stephens said speaking for him and Mary.

“We have seen him work extremely hard to get to that point. The amount of time he’s spent swinging a club on the course and in our barn was paying off. He’s a fully committed kid and does all the right things. He pays attention to diet, sleep, and training. He still is learning about the need to include rest.  We were thankful he was able to play through some back issues. Summer was all baseball and golf usually 7 days a week between the two. It put stress on the back that caught up with him. Two days before conference Coach Gray had to pull him from a match. He sat out another and had some physical therapy. It’s been a combination of rest, therapy, managing swings, and prayers to make it through. We are thankful for the amount of support Luke has received throughout the last few weeks.”

“There’s a lot of joy seeing your kid’s hard work and love for something pay off. The kid is known for showing little emotion, but the smile says it all. He doesn’t get too high or too low and he knows how to grind it out and we are super proud of his resilience,” John exclaimed.

“The experience has only strengthened Luke’s resolve knowing his commitment, drive and work ethic paid dividends,” John expressed.

It was a whirlwind couple of weeks for Luke Stephens, culminating in WOAC “Golfer of the Year”, a district playoff hole winner, qualifying for state, a hole in one at state, 4th place at the DII State Championship and first team All-State Honors.


Luke Stephens 4th place state finish earned him 1st team all-state honors in DII Golf. (Abbey Moore photo)

“This experience just motivates me more because I know now what I need to work on to improve my game this off season. Once I can fix those things I believe I will come back even stronger,” Stephens concluded.

As Luke tucked the 15th hole flag from NCR Country Club into his golf bag, he carried more than just a keepsake home with him. He carried a moment that defied belief - a hole-in-one on the biggest stage in Ohio high school golf, witnessed by competitors who cheered as loudly as his own parents. Some dreams are so big you never dare to dream them. Luke Stephens lived one anyway."

It's hard to imagine it could get any better, dare to dream … maybe a state championship.


Luke Stephens teeing off at NCR Country Club.  "I've never played a course like it before, it's the best course I've ever played," Stephens said.  (Abbey Moore photo)
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Arcanum Girls Volleyball Team Three-Peats as WOAC Conference Champions.
(Dale Barger photo)

ARCANUM – The Arcanum volleyball team ran the table in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference for the 2^nd straight year going 11-0 after defeating Newton 3-1 in four sets Tuesday night.  The Trojans would three peat capturing their 3^rdstraight WOAC Championship along the way.

Arcanum was all business in the first set pulling away from the Indians midway with some strong play at the net and good service for a 25-12 win.

Newton now 10-11 overall, 7-4 in WOAC have three seniors on their roster and a solid group of sophomores and juniors who have steadily improved as the season has progressed and wouldn’t go down without a fight in the second set.

They battled their way to a few ties midway in the set then took a four-point lead late and then fought off a late rally by Arcanum to take the 2nd set 25-23.

Arcanum senior outside hitter Kamryn Beisner was deadly with her cross court kills in win over Newton. (Dale Barger photo)

The Lady Indians kept the pressure on in the 3rd set before Arcanum again found their footing at the net to take the win 25-20.

It was senior night with a good crowd and support from the student section on hand bearing witness to the Lady Trojans taking the final set 25-14 to capture their third consecutive league championship.

“Give credit to Newton they played well early, we were coming off our homecoming weekend and having a couple of days off it took us a while, but we eventually settled in, and it was so exciting to see these girls finish off that last point in the fourth set to get back-to-back-to-back titles,’ coach Jacie Homan exclaimed.


Senior Grace Psczulkoski hammers home final point to seal WOAC Title for Arcanum.
(Dale Barger photo)

Three titles in four years for the seniors is pretty special, and those seniors are Grace Psczulkoski, Grace Fry, Avery Leeper, Kamryn Beisner and Caroline Long.

“I’m so happy for this group of seniors it’s definitely something special to my heart, and I can't really even talk about it right now, because it's still a little overwhelming. But these girls have been with me since the beginning. They've seen the highs and the lows of Arcanum volleyball. They have just brought the energy that we need they are great role models to our underclassmen. They don't tolerate a lot of monkey business in the gym. When we're in the gym, we are locked in and ready to go, and I think that's why we're seeing the results,” Holman explained.

“I also give credit to the juniors as well, they're getting used to this success, and I'm proud of them, and hopefully we can continue this with them and maybe they can go for a four-peat next year,” Holman added.

Coach Holman talked about the importance of locking in … but is also cognizant that it’s a game and you can’t get too uptight because it still should be fun.

“You know, when we were getting bad results, when we lost that second set, it's because we were so tense and because we weren't having fun. We haven't had a lot of sets where we've been down, and we have to figure out how to balance that out.  It took us just one set to recover and know, like, okay, that's under our belt. Now we got to move forward.  And that’s the kind of experience and mindset we’ll need for the tournament. We're going to have tournament games we don’t win three straight sets and mentally we need to prepare for four or five sets,” Holman stated.


Senior Avery Leeper eyes the serve in game with Newton. (Dale Barger photo)

Although the Trojans want to enjoy the conference win there will be little time to celebrate as they prepare to play in the post season tournament where 17-4 Arcanum received the #1 seed in the OHSAA DVI Volleyball Tournament they will host at Arcanum High School. 

“I'm very excited about our tournament draw, probably the most excited I've ever been. When we made that draw and I was scrolling down to see it I might have been jumping up and down in our classroom and crying.  We are very excited about what we see moving forward for this team,” Holman concluded.

Arcanum start tournament play at 7pm on Wednesday October 15th vs National Trail. 

The Trojans are serious, focused and motivated … but let’s just hope they also remember to have fun along the way.


Arcanum seniors L-R: Avery Leeper, Grace Fry, Caroline Long, Grace Psczulkoski & Kamryn Beisner flash 3-peat sign after winning 3rd consecutive championship. (Dale Barger photo)
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Preble Shawnee Girls Soccer 2025 WOAC Champs. (Dale Barger photo)

NEW PARIS – The Preble Shawnee girls soccer team avenged a 1-0 loss to National Trail back on September 6th. Their 5-0 win over the Blazers gave them back-to-back WOAC Championships and three titles in the least 5 years since the league was formed.

Trail shutout the Arrows in their first match-up but it took just three minutes into the second game between the two for the Preble to score to break the drought.  Senior Aubrey Unger on a corner kick teed one up into the middle where sophomore Alexis Leech met the ball with a nice header to score the opening goal.

Alexis Leach gets the header goal to go for the Arrows in game with National Trail.
(Dale Barger photo)

The goal was a welcome relief to Preble Shawnee coach Donnie Hatton to get on the board right away and especially the way they got the goal.

“That goal felt great, it was a pretty goal, an uplifting goal,” Hatton stated.  It was beautiful cross by Aubrey Unger and strong header finish by Alexis Leach. That's usually the other way around. (Alexis leads the league in assists with 14) and it’s normally her who finds  Aubrey for the header, so it was nice for them to reverse roles one time,’ Hatton added.

National Trail hung tough for the remainder of the first half keeping a number of shot on goal out with good  from freshman goalkeeper Kinley Marker.

Coach Hatton was impressed with National Trail’s effort and coaching to stay close after giving up a goal in the early going.

The National Trail girls soccer team gave the Arrows their only league loss this year. Shawnee coach Donnie Hatton heaped praise on their team and coach. (Dale Barger photo)

“They kept closing us down in the first half, all of our shots were deflected. I got nothing but props for the coaches. A very young team that plays hard, so a good job of coaching by them as he (Coach Jon Dodson) had them in position to make plays,” Hatton said.

The game was shaping up to be another low scoring affair but at the 29-minute mark of the second half sophomore Lyla Ford booted one from the far-right corner and was able to just get it past the goalie on a difficult angle for the 2nd goal of the night giving the Arrows a little breathing room.

“Lyla is extremely good shooting from distance, and she took on a player, tapped it out wide, got it to her strong foot, and at that point, we figured it was on frame.  It was a great shot, it wasn't quite up or 90, but it was close enough to beat the keeper, and they’ve got a strong one who is always in the right position … but no way she could stop that one,” Coach Hatton explained.

Lyla Ford was able to blast home a goal in the 2nd half to help her team push forward.
(Dale Barger photo)

After the loss to National Trail a month ago coach Hatton knew his team would have to play well to pull off the title and win the next give games that would include Newton who was just a half game behind after falling to 2-1 to Preble Shawnee in their second-round game on October 23rd.

Newton would keep the pressure on the Arrows by winning their remaining league games and currently stands at 7-2 league with one game left with Twin Valley South on October 7^th and even with a win they would finish a half game behind Preble Shawnee who finished their league play with an 8-1-1 record to clinch the WOAC title.

“We had to win all five of our remaining games to actually win the league and I’m so very proud of the girls. They won all five and in those games we only gave up one goal. So, props to Nora Feck, Sammy Peffley, Quinn Green and Jillian Murphy on defense, they did an excellent job and just played well.  We only gave up three goals in the last eight games,” Hatton praised.

The Arrows would shutout the Blazers and added 3 more goals in the second half on their way to the 5-0 win.

Aubrey Unger added a second goal in the 2nd half to go along with her assist. Lyla Ford also had a goal and an assist, Alexis Leach a goal, and an assist and freshman Anna Crout go her first career goal along with an assist.

“I just love the communication we had today. I love the little give and goes. I don't think a defender ever got beat where someone did not cover for them. I told Aubrey and Lyla at the half, you guys don't want this to come to one or two goals, so let's go ahead and focus a little more on our finishing. We won a lot of corners, put a lot of good balls through, and just gave ourselves a lot of chances, and finally started finishing,” Hatton praised.

While coach Hatton is happy for his team on winning  back-to-back titles they would like to also make a nice run in the tournament.

Aubrey Unger goes wide away from the defense and finds the corner for a goal.
(Dale Barger photo)

“We are finally healthy and playing well and that has made a difference in our play these last five games. A small school like us it’s kind of dominoes a little bit once you start losing players.  Aubrey's Right foot was hurting, and she wouldn't hit it right footed, that hurt us a little bit, she is still a good enough player with the left foot … but just wasn't the true Aubrey. Josie Mondello-Garrett and Claire Schroeder won the middle of every game over the last six games we played. They were tough. I told them if you guys keep winning in the middle I like our chances going forward in the tournament,” Hatton concluded.

Three WOAC titles in five years and back-to-back championships gives cause for the Arrows to celebrate. (Dale Barger photo)

Tri-Village freshman Lyla Brewer was the WOAC Golfer of the Year and the only golfer to advance from the league to advance to the District Tournament. (Dale Barger photo)

DAYTON - None of the WOAC girls’ golf teams would advance out of OHSAA DII Sectional Tournament and just one golfer advanced to the district round, Lyla Brewer of Tri-Village.

Ansonia, Arcanum, Franklin Monroe, Mississinawa Valley, National Trail and Tri-Village all met up in the OHSAA DII Sectional Tournament at Stillwater Valley Golf Club.  20 teams competing in the sectional double the number in the Cincinnati sectional and a 1/3 more teams than the Xenia sectional.

Each sectional tournament takes the top four teams and top four individual golfers to go to the district tournament.

The Tri-Village golf team who won the Western Ohio Athletic Conference this year was the highest placer for WOAC schools finishing in 6th place just 5 strokes behind Versailles. The Tigers earned 4th and last team qualifying spot to advance to the district.

Arcanum was 8th, National Trail 14th, Mississinawa Valley 16^th and Franklin Monroe was 19th.

Tri-Village freshman Lyla Brewer who was the WOAC "Golfer of the Year" was the only individual golfer advancing to the district tournament.  She had the 3rd best overall score not on a qualifying team shooting a 90.

The OHSAA District Golf Tournament was held at Pipestone Golf Club with the top two teams and top two individuals not on a qualifying team to advance to the state tournament.

Lyla Brewer the shot a 91 and did not qualify to move on as she concluded her outstanding freshman season. She along with her teammates will all return next year with higher aspirations after getting a year under their belt playing together.


Tri-Village girls golf team won the WOAC in 2025 & returns the entire team next year.
(Dale Barger photo)
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The National Trail Boys Golf Team earned their second consecutive trip to the OHSAA DIII Boys State Championship Tournament. (Dale Barger photo)

The National Trail Boys Golf Team won the OHSAA DIII Sectional at Turtle Creek last week followed that up with a second-place finish in the district tournament at Pipestone Golf Club and is headed to the state finals for the second year in a row.

National Trail’s Senior Kellen Laird was runner-up medalist firing a round of 75.  Josh Brubaker tied for fourth place with a 79, Christian Rutan had an 85, Wyatt Gebhart 87 and Sawyer Davies 89 for a team total of 326, seven strokes behind first place Botkins.

National Trail's senior Kellen Laird would fire off a 75 and finished as medalist runner-up in the District Golf Tournament. (Dale Barger photo)

Only two teams qualify to go onto state, and the two lowest individual scorers not on a team that advanced qualify as well. There were no other WOAC teams or individuals in the DIII district event to move on.

Other WOAC teams who advanced from Turtle Creek sectional to the district was Newton and Twin Valley South.

Newton was led by Will Bowser 81 and Rhett Koffer 85 and Twin Valley South top two golfers were Blake Mowell 93 and Parker Howard a 94 in district play.

Mississinawa Valley, Tri-County North and Tri-Village didn’t qualify as a team but did advance from sectional tournament to play in the district.

Kohen Burns from Tri-Village shot an 87, Jaxin Beanblossom for Mississinawa had a 90 and Brayden Bacher had a 93 for Tri-County North.

The Arcanum boys golf team didn't advance out of sectional play ... but Luke Stephens qualified as an individual for the OHSAA DII District Golf Tournament. Stephens shot a 75 tying him for the 4th best score overall and he would win a dramatic playoff hole to advance to State.

Luke will play October 6-7 at the NCR Country Club South Course in the OHSAA Boys DII State Championship.

National Trail will play October 13-14 at NorthStar Golf Club in the OHSAA Boys DIII State Championship, the same course they played at last year.

Good Luck to Luke and National Trail at state.

Arcanum's Luke Stephens eyes a putt that he would make to win a playoff to qualify for the DII Boys Golf State Tournament. (Dale Barger photo)
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