The Tri-County Conference is a large conglomeration of large and small schools in Eastern Ohio who come together to form a Girls Golf league. Five area teams look to be near the top of the league this season along with Minerva, who represented the East District at the State Tournament last year. The Marlington Dukes have a balanced roster that could produce some low scores throughout the year. Massillon will rely on junior Edisa Nabuufu and will look to some experienced returning players to provide the other scores needed to compete. Tuslaw has been a fun team to follow as they have taken a prominent role in the Division 2 landscape. Senior Avery Rodocker along with a deep class of juniors will lead a Mustangs team with high expectations. Senior Bella Linger and the West Branch Warriors are another quality team that will be in the conversation to win their conference. Alliance is a wild card team to watch for as well. At the next level, Canton South has had some quality teams the past several years and will look at a new group to keep up that momentum. Lake Center Christian could be a Cinderella type team this season as their school footprint continues to get larger. Fairless, under second year coach Susan Smith, Canton Central Catholic, with new head coach Brooke Newsome, and Northwest, led by veteran coach Laura Traganza, are all teams that will look to have an impact on the Tri-County Conference as well.

Impact Players

Angelina Boyles (SR) Fairless
Kay Givins (SR) Northwest
Anna Gosney (JR) Canton Central Catholic
Grace McGeehen (SR) Alliance
Bella Linger (SR) West Branch
Emma McLaughlin (JR) West Branch
Edisa Nabuufu (JR) Massillon
Lilly Peterson (JR) Marlington
Avery Rodocker (SR) Tuslaw
Hannah Samblanet (SR) Canton South
Taniyah Spencer (JR) Marlington

Freshmen to Watch

Adeline Klingelhofer (Lake Center Christian)
Natalie Noling (Marlington)
Gianna Pons (Canton Central Catholic)
Ellie Risaliti (Canton South)
Mia Ruthem (Northwest)
Norah Sanderson (Northwest)
Addison Slagle (Canton Central Catholic)
Teresa Warner (Marlington)
Riley Wolfe (Marlington)

Alliance Aviators

Head Coach- Phillip Yarian
Last Year’s Results- 16th at The Elms Sectional

Canton Central Catholic Crusaders

Head Coach- Brooke Newsome
Last Year’s Results- The Canton Central Catholic girls golf team placed 4th at the Division II Sectional Tournament with a team score of 416, qualifying for the District tournament. Leading the Crusaders was Lily Belden with a round of 90. Other notable scorers included Anna Gosney (100), Abigail Tucker (112), and Addison Rey (114).
Coach’s Comments- I’m excited to begin my first season leading this program. We have a great group of young women who are eager to learn, work hard, and support one another. Our goal this season is to continue developing our skills, compete with confidence, and represent Central Catholic with pride every time we step on the course.

Canton South Wildcats

Head Coach- David Mullett
Last Year’s Results- 2nd at The Pines Sectional, 10th at Good Park District, 17-3, 2nd best finish in school history, 2nd Place finish at Sectionals at The Pines, 1st Place Griffith Cup Champions at Spring Hill
Coach’s Comments- Canton South Girls Golf Had a Magical season last year and will certainly take a hit due to graduation, but, my girls will find a way this season because they want to keep winning! My Senior Stars, Samblanet and Daugherty are eager and ready to guide this team and my junior (GOAT) Jilly is ready to keep the winning tradition rolling! Ellie Risaliti is my incoming Freshman who I am excited to be getting, and she is going to be put to the test right away. I know these girls will give me everything they got because they want it to be 5 years in a row making it to the District Tournament! Good Luck Wildcats!

Fairless Falcons

Head Coach- Susan Smith
Last Year’s Results- 9th at Carroll Meadows Sectional

Lake Center Christian Tigers

Head Coach- Randy Yoder
Last Year’s Results- 8th at The Pines Sectional, 4-10 (overall as Independent)
Coach’s Comments- As the 2026 season tees off, the Lady Tigers face two major challenges: navigating a significant roster overhaul and stepping into a highly competitive new league. Replacing last year’s departing seniors won’t be easy, and the team’s biggest task will be finding a new No. 1 golfer to fill the void left by 2025 District qualifier Charley Collins. While five golfers return, only two bring more than a single year of varsity experience: senior Anna Mooney and junior Hailee Gingerich. For the team to remain competitive, we’ll need Sophomore Alexa Donatelli and junior Haley Phipps, who anchored the back half of the 2025 roster, to make significant contributions in 2026. Finally, keep an eye on freshman Adeline Klingelhofer, who looks to solidify the lineup as she adjusts to varsity competition. After playing last season as an independent, we join the competitive Tri-County Conference as the league’s smallest school; and our plan for 2026 will be simple – stay competitive in league play using the regular season to gain experience against quality opponents, then peak in September when the postseason and OHSAA tournaments arrive.

Marlington Dukes

Head Coach- Shawn Dillon
Last Year’s Results- 12th at The Elms Sectional, 12-4 overall, 5-3 EBC, 5-1 Tri-County
Coach’s Comments- We have a fairly young team overall, but they have tournament experience. Optimistic for this season.

Massillon Tigers

Head Coach- Sam Bushman
Last Year’s Results- 13th at The Elms Sectional

Minerva Lions

Head Coach- Kenneth Beaumariage
Last Year’s Results- 1st at Cambridge Sectional, 1st at Lancaster District, 12th at State Tournament

Northwest Indians

Head Coach- Laura Traganza
Last Year’s Results- 6th at The Pines Sectional

Tuslaw Mustangs

Head Coach- Matt Gulling
Last Year’s Results- 7th at The Pines Sectional, 8-7 Overall Record, 3rd Place Finish Tri-County Red Division
Coach’s Comments- We have a great deal of experience returning and our looking to continue to grow as we move into year 3 of our girls golf program.

West Branch Warriors

Head Coach- Dan Hall
Last Year’s Results- 5th at Pine Lakes Sectional