MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GOLF TEAMS ADVANCE TO NATIONALS
Roane State's men's and women's golf programs are headed back to the national stage after two outstanding team performances earlier this week.
Both teams punched their tickets to their respective National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournaments following strong performances at district competition, continuing a trend of postseason success.
For the Lady Raiders, the path to nationals came through a composed and resilient showing at Quail Heights Golf Club in Lake City, Florida. Head coach Rick Maharry said familiarity with the course played a key role, as Roane State opened its spring season at the same venue.
"We played there earlier this year, and that's one of the reasons we wanted to go back," Maharry said. "It gave us a chance to get used to the course and it seems like that paid off."
The Lady Raiders navigated difficult conditions throughout the event, including dry fairways, thin grass and inconsistent greens impacted by weather earlier in the year. Despite those challenges, Maharry said his team responded with steady play and strong mental focus.
"A couple of them struggled at times," he added, "but they brought it right back."
Sophomore Raegan Corvette led the way with one of the top performances of the tournament, finishing second overall. She opened with a 79 before firing a 74 in the final round, competing head-to-head with one of the top-ranked players in the country.
"She wasn't intimidated at all," Maharry said. "She just placed the ball in great spots and kept it together."
Sydney Romer added another key performance, finishing fifth overall with rounds of 85 and 84, while contributing to the team's overall consistency across both days (April 27-28).
The result continues a steady upward trend for the Lady Raiders who have improved in each of their last several events, moving them to the top spot in the region and 17th in the nation – their highest rank of the year.
Maharry said that growth has been driven by the team's ability to adjust and respond under pressure. "That's exactly what you want to see this time of year," he added.
The Lady Raiders will now turn their focus to the NJCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship, scheduled for May 12-15 at Old Colony Golf Complex in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
On the men's side, the Raiders secured their fourth consecutive trip to nationals after battling through a challenging district tournament held April 27-28 at Morristown Country Club.
Head coach Chris Griffin said the performance wasn't perfect, but it reinforced the team's ability to compete under difficult circumstances.
"How we did it was not great, but you can't deny the fact that these guys advanced," Griffin said. "Nobody had their best game, but we still move on. That says a lot about this group."
The course conditions proved to be one of the toughest tests the team has faced this season, with dry conditions and firm greens impacting scoring across the field.
"It's the hardest I've ever seen that course play," Griffin said. "It was challenging, to say the least."
Despite that, the Raiders placed multiple golfers near the top of the leaderboard.
Freshman Collin Keino finished fifth overall, continuing a strong season that has seen him emerge as one of the team's most consistent performers. Keino placed top in the region after regular season play, which earned him TCCAA Region 7 Player of the Year for men's golf.
Freshman Jackson Hawkins added one more top-10 finish to the Southeastern District Tournament, placing 10th. The Raiders are now ranked 11th in the nation.
Griffin noted that even without their best collective performance, the team showed the resilience needed to advance – a trait that has defined the program's success.
"We keep waiting for these guys to put it all together as a team," he said. "There's no better time to do that than nationals."
The Raiders will compete in the NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship in Plymouth, Indiana, with play beginning May 19. Roane State previously competed at the course in the fall, giving the team valuable experience heading into the tournament.
"We've been there before, so they know what to expect," Griffin said. "Now it's about sticking to their routines and being mentally ready."
With both programs advancing, Roane State continues to establish itself as a consistent presence on the national stage – a reflection of steady development, depth across both rosters and a shared ability to perform when it matters most.