WVU Golf is heading back to the NCAA Tournament. For a program that didn’t even exist a decade ago, that is another major milestone. The Mountaineers reinstated the program for the 2015-16 season after a 31-year absence. Now, under coach Sean Covich, WVU is making its third NCAA Regional appearance.
They previously reached regionals in 2019 and 2024. Last season, WVU advanced to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1947. Now the Mountaineers head to the Marana Regional in Arizona aiming to keep building one of the quietest success stories in WVU Athletics. Read more: WVU Golf returning to NCAA Regionals as program continues rise
The Mountaineers earned an at-large bid and enter the regional as the No. 9 seed in a talented field that includes Oklahoma State, LSU, Arizona, Alabama, Duke and Clemson. The regional takes place May 18-20 at The Gallery Golf Club, with the top five teams advancing to the NCAA Championships later this month in Carlsbad, California.
Decision time
While the program’s growth under Covich is grabbing attention nationally, the focus internally now shifts toward one final decision before postseason play begins: determining the starting five lineup.
WVU has built impressive depth throughout the season, and several golfers have made strong cases for postseason spots during one of the best years in program history.
At least three spots appear firmly locked in.
Seniors Kaleb Wilson and Westy McCabe, along with freshman Jack Michael, have started every tournament this season and have consistently provided steady scoring for the Mountaineers.
Wilson has served as the team’s leader throughout much of the year and produced multiple high-end finishes. He tied for first at the Nemacolin Collegiate Invitational at 11-under-par and finished runner-up at the Island Resort Collegiate at 16-under. His consistency has made him one of the safest options in the lineup heading into postseason play.
McCabe brings experience and reliability to the group. While his scores may not always jump off the leaderboard compared to some of WVU’s younger golfers, Covich has trusted the senior in pressure situations throughout the season. McCabe also led the Mountaineers at the Big 12 Championship, where WVU faced one of the toughest conference tournament fields in the country.
Michael’s emergence as a freshman has also become a major storyline this season. The Huntington native has looked comfortable competing against experienced collegiate fields and gives WVU another dependable option entering the NCAA Regional. He recorded several strong performances throughout the spring and continues to play with the confidence of a veteran.
Final cut
The remaining lineup spots appear to be the most competitive.
“We actually started qualifying (Tuesday), because we expected to get called today,” said Covich after learning about making the tournament. “There’s one spot open in the lineup, and that could be a couple of guys. We’ll see how that shakes out.”
Sophomores Ryan Leach and Nick Turowski have both flashed some of the highest scoring ceilings on the roster and are capable of producing the type of rounds that can dramatically change a tournament.
Leach delivered one of the best individual performances in program history earlier this season when he captured the Island Resort Collegiate title at 17-under-par. During that event, he fired rounds of 63 and 65 while helping WVU set a school-record score of 55-under as a team.
Turowski has been equally dangerous at times. The sophomore carded a 63 at the Pearl at Kalauao Invitational and recorded multiple top-five finishes throughout the season. When his game heats up, he has shown the ability to compete with virtually anyone in the field.
Related: A full slate in May for Mountaineer fans
That depth is a good problem for Covich to have.
WVU enters postseason play after capturing three tournament victories this season and consistently posting some of the lowest team rounds in program history. For a program that was rebuilt from scratch just 10 years ago, simply reaching this point remains impressive.
Now the Mountaineers will try to take the next step once again in Arizona.
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