Senior Hannah Finley’s Future is so Bright, She’s Going to Give Away Shades

Karlie Backer, Staff Writer|October 4, 2017

Beginning at the age of eight, Hannah Finley fell in love with golf.  Now a senior, she looks forward to her collegiate career as she wraps up her final Hoban golf season.

Starting as the number three player on the varsity team her freshman year, Hannah Finley has been a critical asset to the program. Since, she has moved up to the number one spot and claimed the co-captain role. As the recipient of the Knightstrong award and the team MVP award, she is an inspiration and friend to her teammates, especially MacKenna Harding, a sophomore on the team.

​“She is an amazing leader and cares about everyone,” Harding said. “She is always there for us, is a great listener and is really good at giving advice.”

As a junior, Finley was able to advance to Districts, shooting an 80 at The Legends of Massillon, making her whole team proud. She shot a 74, her personal record, the summer before her sophomore year. She enjoys the challenging aspect of the sport and loves the friendships that she has made, many of those friendships stemming from the golf program.

“It’s really sad that it’s my last season and I don’t want to leave my girls behind because I love them all so much and I love the program,” Finley said.

​As a youngster, golf was an activity that her whole family enjoyed together. When choosing a high school, she fell in love with Hoban after a shadow day and decided against Kent, the school her sisters attended. Her older sister, Meghan Finley, played for Kent Roosevelt and then collegiately at Mercyhurst University. Hannah hopes to follow in her sister’s footsteps and play at the collegiate level.

Currently, the recruiting process is in full gear as she hopes to play at the NCAA Div. II or Div. III level, preferably out of state. Planning to study international business and Spanish, Hannah Finley hopes to start a non-profit organization to provide glasses and sunglasses around the world to those who do not have access. Finley’s parents, Michael and Patty Finley, have been a great support to her through the years and are excited to see what the future holds.

“We have truly enjoyed being a part of her high school golf career and cannot say enough about the support from all the golf families, past and present,” Patty said, on behalf of the family. “Though we are sad to see the Hoban golf season end, we are looking forward to watching Hannah play with her (yet to be named) team in college.”

​With this season wrapped up, Finley is more than satisfied with her team’s 8-2 record.