Courtesy of Will Prewitt WVIAC Associate Commissioner

PRINCETON, W.Va. --Ohio Valley University is the solid favorite to capture the 2008 WVIAC men's golf championship. The Fighting Scots earned eight of the twelve votes cast for the top spot as they outpointed West Liberty.

Defending champion Fairmont State, Concord, and Charleston hold down the third through fifth positions. West Virginia Wesleyan, Davis & Elkins, Shepherd, Wheeling Jesuit, and West Virginia State complete the top ten. Bluefield State, Glenville State, Salem International, Seton Hill, and Pitt Johnstown round out the poll.

Ohio Valley, which has become an NCAA Tournament regular under head coach Larry Lyons, will be led by seniors J.C. Beecroft and Taylor Fitzpatrick. Paul Raines, J.R. Jones, and Sean Burke also return as key contributors for OVU.

West Liberty State must replace WVIAC Player of the Year Matt Hicks, but returnees Chris Palmer, Brian Williams, and Markus Maier give a solid foundation for new head coach Mike Ricci.

Fairmont State will turn to a talented group of newcomers to defend their league title. Zack Rudy, who posted a pair of top five finishes in WVIAC events last season, is back for FSU.

The WVIAC Men's Golf Championship returns to Stonewall Resort for a second straight season. The 54-hole event takes place October 20-22.

Complete poll results follow:

# School Pts.

1. Ohio Valley (8) 171

2. West Liberty (3) 161

3. Fairmont State 154

4. Concord 145

5. Charleston (1) 140

6. West Virginia Wesleyan 131

7. Davis & Elkins 111

8. Shepherd 95

9. Wheeling Jesuit 79

10. West Virginia State 78

11. Bluefield State 56

12. Glenville State 46

13. Salem International 45

14. Seton Hill 19

15. Pitt Johnstown 18