For the second consecutive season, the West Union Lady Dragons are the chacmpions of the Southern Hills Athletic Conference Girls Golf Tournament. From left, Assistant Coach Carl Schneider, Nina McCann, Geneva DeMint, Emmy Stapleton, Raeghan Rothwell, Piper Stapleton and head Coach Marci Nehus (Photo courtesy of the Southern Hills Athletic Conference)
WU’s McCann repeats as individual champion
After being Co-Player of the Year in the SHAC in 2024, West Union’s Nina McCann took the title all to herself this year, winning the title by two strokes after 18 holes. (Photo by Mark Carpenter)
North Adams was the runner-up in this year;s Southern Hills Athletic Conference Girls Golf Tournament. From left, Coach Brandon Grooms, Emmy Holt, Brooklyn Mahan, Lilly Parker, Brynlee Willett, Esmee Grooms and Assistant Coach Mark Willett. (Photo courtesy of the Southern Hills Athletic COnference)
The golfers pictured above were named to the 2025 SHAC Girls All-Conference Team after their performances in the recent girls tournament. From left, Nina McCann (West Union), Emmy Holt (north Adams), Geneva DeMint (West Union), Kelsie Crowder (Fairfield), Brooklyn Manning (Ripley), Alyssa Smalley (Peebles), Raeghan Rothwell (West Union), Piper Stapleton (West Union), Faith Scott (Manchester), Emmy Stapleton (West Union), Peyton Hayslip (Manchester), Willow Smith (Lynchburg), Brooklyn Mahan (North Adams), Lilly Parker (North Adams), Madee Koenig (peebles) and Brynlee Willett (North Adams). (Photo courtesy of the Southern Hills Athletic Conference)
By Mark Carpenter
People’s Defender
Back-to-back and back-to-back. That was the motto for Coach Marci Nehus and her West Union Lady Dragons golf squad as they competed last week in the final round of the 2025 Southern Hills Athletic Conference girls golf tournament. Going into that final round, played on September 17 at the Adams County Country Club, the outcome of the team championship was not in doubt as West Union held a double digit lead over second place North Adams.
The race for the individual title was a different story, a battle between a pair of seniors, North Adams’ Emmy Holt and West Union’s lefty swinging Nina McCann. In round one played September 10 at Buckeye Hills, the two were dead even, both shooting 40, with West Union’s Geneva DeMint within striking distance at 44.
That set up a showdown at ACCC for the title, with McCann looking ti defend the crown, one she shared last year with teammate Olivia Lewis. On a bright, sunny day at the club, McCann was up to the task. She fired an identical round of 40 over the final nine holes while Holt came in with a 42, giving the West Union senior her second consecutive SHAC Player of the Year honor.
“To see Nina go back-to-back as SHAC champion individually is so special,” said Coach Nehus. “Her leadership and consistency motivates the whole team.”
It is safe to say that overall the girls from Adams County dominated this year’s SHAC Tournament. The top 16 golfers (due to ties) in the tourney earn All-Conference recognition and 13 of the 16 on this year’s list were from county schools- five from West Union (McCann, DeMint, Raeghan Rothwell, Piper Stapleton, Emmy Stapleton), four from North Adams (Holt, Brooklyn Mahan, Lilly Parker, Brynlee Willett), two from Peebles (Alyssa Smalley, Madee Koenig) and two from Manchester (Faith Scott, Peyton Hayslip).
West Union won the team trophy in fairly easy fashion, building up an 18-stroke lead after the first nine holes and ballooning that to 31 strokes at the tournament’s end.
“I could not be more proud of this group of girls and what they have accomplished,” said Coach Nehus. “Winning back-to-back SHAC championships is a testament to their hard work, dedication and love for the game. All five of our players finished in the top 10.”
“It’s been a joy to coach all of these girls this year and watch their efforts pay off. No we shift our focus to sectionals and playing well as a team to continue moving forward at the state level tournaments.”
All four county girls golf squads were in postseason action on Monday, September 22, with Division II sectional play at Buckeye Hills. The top four teams and top four individuals not on those teams will move to the district tournament. West Union made their first trip in school history last year to the OHSAA state tournament and will be looking for a return trip.
Adams County Individual Scores (18 holes):
West Union: Nina McCann-80, Geneva DeMint-86, Raeghan Rothwell- 96, Piper Stapleton- 96, Emmy Stapleton- 100
North Adams- Emmy Holt- 82, Brooklyn Mahan- 102, Lilly Parker- 102, Brynlee Willett- 103, Esmee Grooms- 118
Peebles- Alyssa Smalley- 93, Madee Koenig- 103, Lily Trantow- 106, Addison Puckett- 120, Shaelin Trantow- 127
Manchester- Faith Scott- 99, Peyton Hayslip- 101, Kennel Truesdell- 112, Hope Scott- 115, Hayden King- 121
Team Scores: West Union 358, North Adams 389, Peebles 421, Manchester 427, Fairfield 454, Ripley 491, Eastern Brown 498
2025 All-Conference Team: Nina McCann (West Union), Emmy Holt (North Adams), Geneva DeMint (West Union), Kelsie Crowder (Fairfield), Brooklyn Manning (Ripley), Alyssa Smalley (Peebles), Raeghan Rothwell (West Union), Piper Stapleton (West UNion), Faith Scott (Manchester), Emmy Stapleton (West Union), Peyton Hayslip (Manchester), Willow Smith (Lynchburg), Brooklyn Mahan (North Adams), Lilly Parker (North Adams), Madee Koenig (Peebles), Brynlee Willett (North Adams)
