After state finals trip, Rochester girls golf coach Thomas resigns after 24 seasons

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Rochester girls golf coach Chad Thomas celebrates making the IHSAA state finals after the team finished third at the Lake Central regional at Sandy Pines Golf Club in DeMotte Sept. 28, 2024. From left – Thomas, Ava Thomas, Laynie Migonis, Molly Moore, Lexi Haughs, Olivia Bailey, assistant coach Dan Bailey. Thomas stepped down Monday after 24 seasons as coach.

Girls golf

Rochester girls golf coach Chad Thomas has stepped down after 24 seasons.

Thomas’ resignation was made official at a school board meeting Monday.

A Rochester High School grad, Thomas coached the Rochester girls team to 14th-place finishes at state in 2012 and 2013 and a tie for 12th place at state last fall.

Thomas had previously coached the Rochester boys team to a state finals appearance in 2006.

Thomas’ last two Rochester girls teams won back-to-back Three Rivers Conference titles. Olivia Bailey and Ava Thomas qualified for state in the fall of 2023, and Bailey and Thomas anchored a team that also included Molly Moore, Lexi Haughs and Laynie Migonis to state last fall.

Ava Thomas, the team’s only senior, is Chad Thomas’ daughter and will continue her golf and academic careers at Grace College next fall.

Thomas also has a son Luke, who is a student at Riddle Elementary School.

“We have created many memories that will last a lifetime,” Thomas said in his resignation letter. “It is time for me to be a Dad during the fall season and watch more of Luke’s activities and watch Ava play at Grace. Thank you to the RHS administration for all of the support throughout the years, it was an honor to coach the RHS Lady Zebra golf team.”