Holy Innocents' Student Earns World Title

Not many Holy Innocents’ student-athletes – past or present – can boast of being a world champion. Rising junior Blake Morain can.

Spending ten days in Madison, Wisconsin in July, Blake competed in the 2016 PDGA Amateur & Junior Disc Golf World Championships, performing against over 500 competitors from across the country. He partnered with Logan Fiske of Huntsville, AL to take the world title.

The event was at the 19-Under level and consisted of 36 holes. Blake and Logan trailed by a stroke after the first 18, but had a solid second round to force a playoff against a duo from Sweden and Finland. On the first sudden death hole, Blake sank a birdie putt to ice the victory and establish themselves as world champs.

“This was an incredible experience and has created a ton of memories already,” Blake said. “At the same time, it motivated me to continue working on my game and improve. I am very thankful for all the support I have received from my family, friends and Halo Disc Sports.”

The tournament director in Wisconsin had more than high praise for Blake and his partner. “They competed in the Under-19 division here, but we will see them in the pro ranks pretty soon. They throw like amazing professional athletes already.”

Blake also had some success in the singles slate in Madison. Entering the 16-Under division, he played consistent golf over the first five rounds and qualified for the semifinals. He had an excellent round in the Final Four but came up just short of the championships – taking seventh overall.

He has been playing disc golf for a little over two years and has already competed in tournaments in several different states. Sponsored by Halo Disc Sports, his triumph in Wisconsin was his first World Event.

Besides his national success, Blake continues to create interest at Holy Innocents’ by exposing other students to the game. He headed up an HIES club team that competed in an event last spring.

Disc golf – called ‘Frisbee golf’ by many – is played much like traditional golf. Instead of using clubs, however, the players use a flying disc with the object to complete each hole in the fewest number of throws.

Besides his disc success, Blake is also a two-sport ace at Holy Innocents’, competing in cross country in the fall and baseball in the spring.