CANTON, Ohio - The Malone University women's golf team has signed a pair of student-athletes for the fall of 2026. Head Coach Bill Eddins announced Mary Helber and Annie Johnston have chosen to continue their academic and athletic careers at Malone.
 
Helber of Zane Trace High School is a champion on and off the course. Coached by her father Allan, Helber and her teammates were impressively inducted into the Zane Trace Athletic Hall of Fame following a dream season in 2025 that culminated in Dayton at the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) State Golf Tournament. That was a first for the Zane Trace girls golf program.
 
Leading up to state, she helped her team to an incredible Scioto Valley Conference (SVC) championship, as well as sectional and district titles. Helber was District runner-up at Crown Hill Golf Club with a 77. The Academic All-Ohioan was a three-time member of the All-SVC First Team despite missing her junior season due to injury. For her perseverance and toughness in the face of adversity, she earned the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year Award following MVP seasons as a freshman and sophomore.
 
Helber also earned the Sportsmanship Award during her high school career which can be attributed to her exceptional character. "Mary is a great fit for us, she is an outstanding student, loves golf and knows not to take it for granted," Coach Eddins shared. "She lost her junior season due to an unfortunate injury and worked her way back to help her team make history. It is really a tremendous success story and her best golf is definitely ahead of her!"
 
Off the course, Helber is involved in numerous clubs, organizations and leadership positions. She is Treasurer of Zane Trace FFA, President, Vice-President and Recreation Officer in 4-H Club, a MADE Ambassador, a member of the National Honor Society and a member of Big Brother, Big Sister. Not only was she captain of the golf team, but the swim team as well.
 
Helber is the daughter of Allan and Holly of Kingston, Ohio. She will be a Pre-Optometry major while at Malone.
 
Johnston culminated her exceptional high school career with a trip to the 2025 OHSAA Girls Golf State Tournament near Dayton at the renowned Heatherwoode Golf Course. She finished 18th overall in the rain-shortened two-day event, and just missed All-State honors. Johnston had qualified for the district tournament three consecutive years before breaking through as a senior to become her school's first golfer in history to qualify for the state tournament. She closed out her outstanding career this past fall by being selected as the Ashtabula County Girls Golfer of the Year for the third straight season.
 
Johnston had best rounds of 34 twice as a senior and averaged 39 and 78 respectively for 9 and 18 holes. The two-time All-Conference Player of the Year is an outstanding putter and typically averaged between 14-18 putts per 9 holes. Coached by Christina Fischer, Johnston possesses tremendous dedication and an extraordinary work ethic which certainly has elevated her level of play to achieve the success she has enjoyed. "Annie is a super young lady who has an uncommon work ethic in this day and age," Coach Eddins praised. "She is highly motivated and driven to compete at the next level. Her upside is unlimited!"
 
Along with her efforts on the golf course, Johnston is an All-County basketball player as well. Johnston excels in the classroom as a 4.0+ student is a member of the National Honor Society and Principal's Advisory Committee. She serves on the Athletic Council, Captain's Council and Student Council and will study Environmental Science. Johnston is the daughter of David and Heidi Johnson of Pierpont, Ohio.