In a string of strong postseason performances, the Meridian Mustangs saved their best for last.

With a season-best 18-hole team score of 297, the high-school golfers won their first state championship. It was an unexpected turn of events, given how the season began, but the team ultimately hit its stride and never looked back.

The Mustangs claimed the Virginia High School League’s Class 3 championship by five strokes on Oct. 15 on the Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Harrisonburg.

Defending champion and runner-up Western Albemarle shot 302, with Kettle Run third at 309.

“They peaked when they needed to, the players pulled together, had the momentum and drive and their attitudes were spot on,” Meridian coach Tim Sample said. “This was a big deal for the school. Every match, a different player would come through in some way, like our No. 5 player shooting a 72 in one match. It was a real team effort.”

The Mustangs played well despite difficult morning playing conditions, with temperatures in the mid-40s and rain on Oct. 15.

The 297 was the Mustangs’ lowest (best) total in three postseason tournaments this fall. The squad shot 319 to win the Region 3B crown and 304 in finishing second to Kettle Run (292) in the Northwestern District tourney.

At the state tournament, senior Noah Peng made three birdies and had Meridian’s lowest individual score with an even-par 70 to finish third behind winner Jack Wargo of Kettle Run with a 67.

Meridian senior Alex Way was next lowest with a 72 to tie for fourth, senior Henry Brown shot 74 and tied for 10th, freshman Charles Griffith shot 81, sophomore Drew Fishel 85 and junior Atticus Kim 89.

“When Charles came in with that 81, that was the fourth score we needed,” Sample said.

At the region tournament, Brown and Griffith each shot 76, Peng had an 80, Way shot 87, Fishel 89 and Kim 96.

All six of the team’s top players were finally on the course together at the region for the first time in the 2024 season. Some had missed previous matches for various reasons.

In the district tournament, Peng carded a 6-under 65 to win the individual championship on the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club. Way shot 75 and Kim 76.

Peng and Brown were team captains.

Even though Meridian won the state title, the season began with many question marks. Sample was hired only two weeks before the season opened.

“I was not sure what we had at first,” he said. “It was kind of a scramble at the beginning. But we found our team leaders and went from there.”

Peng and Brown were the team captains.

Now that Meridian has won a state championship, Sample said his goal is to continue building a strong program.

“We’ve had a good start,” he said.