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Local News
Fike golfers are state champions By Tom Ham | Senior Staff Writer WEST END -- Fike High boys golf teams have not missed competing in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A Championship since 2002, and the 2004 team produced the individual champion in John-Tyler Griffin and finished second in the team competition. But Tuesday, the 2008 squad brushed aside that history of near misses and returned home to Wilson with the state championship. "We played more determined," said Zach Gliarmis, the only senior on the squad. "This team was deeper; everybody could do something." Coach Jim Boykin Jr., who won his first state title in his 25th season as Fike's golf coach, hailed his 2008 team as the deepest in terms of talent and the most focused throughout the lineup. "Only in a couple of matches did we have guys to zone out," he said. "This team's mental makeup is so unique." In addition to Gliarmis, the squad was made up of juniors Ryan Yarbrough and Drew Hinnant, sophomores Spencer Whitt, Matthew Ellis and Mark Whitley and freshmen Coalter Paxton and Bailey Rose. The players staged a tempered celebration after its six stroke victory at the Foxfire Resort and Gold Club and said they were especially happy for Gliarmis and their coach. "It's awesome. I always dreamed about being a state champion," Yarbrough. "Now, it has come true -- it's great. This year was a great year. Paxton and Rose both said they were just excited and grateful to be in this situation as freshmen. "I am very excited as a freshman, definitely," Paxton said. "We knew we had to come in here and play as well as we did the whole year. Next year, hopefully, we'll have a repeat or something." Playing in the No. 6 or last slot, Rose's score of 3-over-par 75 helped seal the championship. "It was a lot of pressure, but it's great," he said. In addition to losing Gliarmis via graduation, Ellis will not be back next season. He plans to return to Beddingfield High, where, as a freshman, he was the Eastern Carolina Conference Player of the Year. "It has nothing to do with golf," Ellis said. "I'm very happy. I feel like I could have contributed more, but I feel like I did my best." Cheered on my alternates Whitley and Hinnant, all six Fike golfers contributed a counting score at least one of the two rounds. And the Demons attracted the tournament's biggest gallery. The six players in the lineup were followed by at least one parent either Monday, Tuesday or both days. Making the trek of 120-plus miles the final day were Fike Principal Steve Ellis, cheerleader Mary Whitt, a sister of Spencer Whitt; and students Madison Bissette, Josh Webb, Tucker Brown, Thomas Allegood and Zach Jacks. Following the awards ceremony, most of the entourage hurried back to Wilson for Tuesday night's playoff baseball game. But the, players, parents, friends and Coach Boykin lingered and savored the occasion before the golfers dashed for the swimming pool. "This is good stuff," one parent observed. Chimed in another: "It doesn't get any better." hammer@wilsontimes.com | 265-7809
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