Name: Josh Topper
School: Bedford Area
Age: 18
Grade: 12
Sports: Golf and basketball
Parents: Jesse and Christy Topper, of Bedford
Athletic achievements: In golf, 2023 all-Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference selection; 2023 LHAC fourth-place finisher and 2022 sixth-place medalist; three-time Bedford Gazette all-star; tied for 25th place at 2023 PIAA Class 2A championships; first at 2023 Bedford County Cup, 2024 Bedford Springs Invitational and 2024 Park Hills Invitational; tied for first at 2024 George F. Wheeling scholastic tournament; freshman scoring record for Bedford golf; third for single-season scoring average at Bedford; three Bedford County Cup team championships; and 2021 and 2022 District 5 Class 2A champions.
Coach’s quote: “Josh is an outstanding golfer. He is so consistent tee to green. He has pretty much rewritten our record book and has been huge part of the team’s success.” – Bedford golf coach Matt Barkman
Favorite subject: History
Favorite movie: “The Dark Knight”
Favorite video game: “EA Sports College Football 25”
Favorite food: Chicken parmesan
Favorite teacher (subject taught): Mr. Lantz (government)
Favorite song: “Many Men” by 21 Savage
Favorite app on your phone: Instagram
Outside interests: Young Life, watching sports and playing video games
If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?: A lion because of their mentality.
Favorite athletic team: Penn State
Athlete most admired: Golfer Scottie Scheffler
Most influential person on my athletic career: My dad, Jesse
Most impressive athlete that you have competed against: Marshall University freshman golfer Cael Ropietski
Proudest athletic achievement: Competing in the 2023 PIAA Class 2A golf championships
How I got my start: A plastic set of golf clubs in the backyard
Future goal: Play college golf at a high level and work for a professional sports franchise
– Jake Oswalt
