Marty Gordon
Blacksburg High School continues its streak of sending multi-golfers to the collegiate ranks. This week, senior Grayden Laird signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Pittsburgh Johnston.
Laird transferred from Galax, where he had an outstanding career, before joining the Blacksburg program this year. As a member of the BHS Golf Team, he helped the school win the 2024 Class 4 State title, their fourth in a row.\
Through hard work, dedication and leadership, he made vital contributions to our success this past season.
He also participated in two state championship seasons at Galax High School, where they won the 2022 and 2023 Class I Golf titles and qualified for the 2023 National High School Golf Association Championship. Furthermore, he was the individual state champion in 2022 and the runner-up in 2023.
At Galax High, he was first team All-District, All-Region and All State for three years (2021, 2022, and 2023.) For Blacksburg, he won first team All-District and All-Region honors.
He was also 21st at the 2023 VSGA Junior Stroke Play Championship; 21st at the 2024 VSGA Junior Stroke Play Championship; a Participant in the 2023 and 2024 VSGA Junior Match Play; 3rd in the stroke play portion of the 2024 VSGA Junior Match Play; a qualifier for round 1 of match play at VSGA Junior Match Play; the 2024 Virginia State Amauter Qualifer Medalist; the 2024 Virginia State Open Qualifier Medalist; a 2024 Virginia State Amatuer Participant; and a 2024 Virginia State Open Participant.
As of this past week, the UPJ men’s golf team was ranked third regionally and 73rd nationally.