Beakon Staff Report
YOUNGSTOWN — For four years, Rocco Turner has successfully navigated the links at Mill Creek Golf Course and Youngstown Country Club, and that will give him a great advantage as he heads into the next phase as a competitor.
On Wednesday during a signing ceremony at Cardinal Mooney High School, Turner declared his intent to play for Youngstown State University.
“I really connected with YSU coach Tony Joy,” Turner said. “He’s an excellent coach, and I’m very excited to be able to contribute to the program at Youngstown State University.”
Turner, earned two-time First-Team All-Ohio honors twice, and is a four-time district qualifier. As a junior in 2022, he claimed the Ohio Division III individual state title. He earned a fifth-place finish at the state tournament as a senior in 2023.
“It’s always a win for our program when we are able to sign the best player from our area,” said Joy. “This is the case with Rocco Turner. He is a proven winner and that is highlighted by his individual state high school championship. Rocco will be joining a very talented team in the fall of 2024, and he will only add to our positive team chemistry.”
Mary Theresa Bellino, Turner’s coach at Cardinal Mooney, knows that Turner has what it takes to succeed in college.
“Besides being incredibly talented, he’s a great competitor,” Bellino said. “He’s also so strong mentally. You can never tell if he’s doing well, or not having his best day, because he’s always so calm and collected. I already miss him, and Cardinal Mooney will miss him.”
Turner feels the same about his school.
“I am so proud to have been a part of the Cardinal Mooney golf program,” Turner said. “I loved being a Mooney golfer, and I want to thank all of my coaches — especially coach Bellino — for doing everything they could do to make sure we were successful.