Oct. 15, 2024, the Hoban boys golf team competed in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state tournament at NCR Country Club’s South Course in Kettering, Ohio. After a shaky start on Monday, the Knights rebounded the next morning, clinching the title of On2024 Division I boys golf state champions.
The road to success wasn’t easy. The Knights started their season in early August with four consecutive losses. Head coach Quinn Parker explained the challenging schedule: “It is essential to play difficult teams in order to prepare ourselves for the postseason. I am very grateful to athletic directors Matthew Bing and Cory Westover, who never said no to an invitational.” The team’s fortunes began to change on Aug. 15, when they secured first place out of 14 teams at Ashland.
A key factor in the team’s success was their ability to stay focused. “It’s important to take it one shot at a time,” Parker added. That patience and persistence paid off in Kettering.
“Although it was one of the worst regular seasons we had as a team, we all knew that the only thing that mattered would be the final two rounds in Dayton,” said senior Braden Herstich.
The seniors’ leadership played a critical role in the championship run. Four of the five starting spots were held by seniors, all of whom placed 18th or better in the championship round. “They carried us for two days,” Parker told the Akron Beacon Journal.
Among those seniors was Christopher Pollak, who delivered the best two-day performance in the state. Pollak shot 71 on both days, finishing the tournament with a 144, just 2 over par. His performance earned him the individual state medalist title, making him the best high school golfer in Ohio by a margin of just two strokes.
“It feels amazing because I have worked very hard to be the best,” Pollak said. “I wanted nothing more than to win a state championship, and the individual award was the cherry on top!”
Pollak’s victory marks the first time in Hoban history that a boys golfer has won an individual state championship. Additionally, senior Raymond Dress earned Second Team All-Ohio honors.
The Knights’ win at the OHSAA state tournament is a historic moment for Hoban, solidifying both team and individual legacies. Overcoming early-season struggles, the team’s perseverance and leadership propelled them to the top of high school golf in Ohio. As Parker proudly noted, this victory is a tribute to a team that has left an indelible mark on the program. Well done, Knights!
