How to nominate and vote for The Palm Beach Post’s Athlete of the Week
The Post’s Athlete of the Week is back for the 2025-26 school year. Here’s a look at how to nominate athletes and vote in polls.
- Joey Iaciofano’s runner-up finish at the state golf championship led Oxbridge Academy to its first state title in any sport.
- Iaciofano and the Thunderwolves aim to repeat their success this season, focusing on a “new year” mentality.
- Coaches praise Iaciofano’s blend of lightheartedness and serious skill on the course.
- Iaciofano’s strong performance last year boosted his confidence and led to top finishes in other tournaments.
Few prep athletes get to experience that dream moment where they play a key role in helping their school win its first state championship.
Joey Iaciofano considers himself among the lucky ones. His runner-up finish at last year’s state golf championship propelled Oxbridge Academy to its initial state title – in any sport.
“That means a lot to me,” Iaciofano said. “I’ll never forget that moment when we were all standing around the 18th green. We were all so happy congratulating each other. It’s something you’ll never forget.”
Iaciofano hopes he’s not finished making those forever memories. The junior has two more chances to lead the Thunderwolves to another state championship and add a second banner to the school’s gymnasium.
Oxbridge returns all its key players from last season, giving the Thunderwolves ample reason to believe they can once again upstate neighborhood rival Benjamin as Palm Beach County’s premier boys golf program. But they also need to put last season’s success in their rear-view mirror.
“We can’t get too caught up in winning last year,” Iaciofano said. “As soon as last year ended, the coaches kept telling us, ‘We’re on to next year.’ This is a completely new year, and our mindset is we haven’t won anything. We need to pretend like this would be our first state title.”
If the Thunderwolves are to make another run at a state title, co-head coaches Dan McLellan and Jonah Del Villar believe Iaciofano will play a key role.
“Joey brings some lightheartedness to the team,” McLellan said. “But when it’s time to get serious, he can put up some great numbers.”
Last year’s runner-up finish helped ignite Iaciofano’s game. He finished fourth in the Junior Orange Bowl International Championship. He enters the high school season coming off a pair of top-10 finishes in the Bubba Conlee Junior Golf Tournament (third) and Visit Tuscaloosa Junior Championship (T7).
“Playing that well at state really helped,” he said. “I had some top finishes and a lot of rounds under par. That course (Mission Inn Resort) is so difficult …if I can play well there, I can play well anywhere.
“I feel really good about my game. I’m coming off some good tournaments this summer. One of the main goals is to win districts or regionals individually. I know if I play well, the team is going to win.”
There’s always shots golfers want back. He had a chance to get in a playoff at districts last year, but missed a 2-foot putt. He also had two three-putts in the final round at states last year, and he finished two behind champion Luke Gossett.
But that was last year. He’s focused on this season, hoping it will be another banner season.
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