The Shaler Area Boys Golf team had one of the greatest seasons in school history by winning the school’s first section title, finishing the regular season 14-1, having all six golfers qualify for the WPIAL Individual Playoffs, three golfers qualify for the WPIAL Individual Championship, and one golfer qualify for the PIAA Individual Championship.
Going into the season, the Titans returned all players from last year which included seniors Joey Miller, Jake Kunc, Jacob Helfer and juniors Colby Weber, Jake Skerlong, and Jacob Crissman. With an 11-3 season the year before, the Titans were looking to make history this year.
“I knew we were going to be pretty good so I thought we were going to win the section,” Miller said.
With such high expectations on the upcoming season, the Titans certainly backed them up with the work they put in over the summer.
“We all went out and played practice rounds at the courses together to learn them. We put in the time to make sure we knew everything so we could win every match,” Kunc said.
The Titans started off their season with a bang. They traveled up to State College to compete in the Happy Valley Invitational. At this event the Titans sent two teams of four to compete at the Penn State Blue Course. The team consisting of Miller, Kunc, Crissman, and Skerlong placed 1st out of 22 teams. The winning scores for the 1st place team consisted of 79’s from Kunc and Skerlong, a 75 from Miller, and a 66 from Crissman.
The Titans continued their hot start by going 6-0 overall and 2-0 in section play. And with a ton of momentum, the Titans would travel to Pittsburgh Field Club to take on their section rival Fox Chapel. This match would be tough for the Titans because the Foxes haven’t lost at their home course in a while. But even with history stacked against them, the Titans ended up pulling out a 197-198 win over the Foxes to put them atop the section.
“My favorite match of the season was the match against Fox Chapel. We ended up getting the win which was huge because not only did it put us on track to win the section, but it was the first time beating them in a while,” Crissman said.
The Titans would go on to win their next two section matchups which set up the second matchup against Fox Chapel. If the Titans would win this match, they would have a comfortable hold on the section. Unfortunately, the Titans took their first loss of the season by a score of 193-189.
The Titans would bounce back from the loss with three straight wins over Hampton, Highlands, and Shady Side Academy. The Titans would battle North Catholic in their last match of the season for a chance to win the first section title in school history. The Titans took home a 194-200 win to move them to 14-1 on the season and secure the section title.
“Golf in the WPIAL is very difficult since there are only two divisions. Shaler Area has had lots of very talented players over the years but to have six to eight guys win 14 out of 15 matches shows how deep we were. We are not one of the perennial golf schools in the area so winning this section is really an accomplishment. I can not wait to see that banner hanging in the gym,” Boys Varsity Golf Head Coach Mr. Chris Catanese said.
The WPIAL playoffs would kick off with the individual qualifier which golfers would need to shoot an 82 or under to qualify for the WPIAL Individual Tournament. The Titans would have their first five golfers qualify leaving Jacob Helfer who needed to score a five on the 18th hole to qualify for the tournament.
“Everyone was gathered around the 18th green watching (Helfer’s) putt to move on to WPIALs. He ended up making it and we all celebrated because it was the first time all six players made it to WPIALs,” Crissman said.
Having all six golfers qualify for the WPIAL Individual Tournament showed the depth that this Titans team had throughout the year.
“We went from having one player qualify two years ago, to four players last year, to all six this season. I have been around sports and teams for a long time and that day is something I will always remember,” Catanese said.
All six Titan golfers would move on to play in the WPIAL Individual Semifinal in which the top 36 golfers moved on to the WPIAL Individual Final. The Titans would send three of their six golfers to the finals with Weber and Skerlong tying for 20th place and Crissman coming in 6th place.
The WPIAL Individual Finals took place at Valleybrook Country Club where golfers would need to be in the top 14 to qualify for the PIAA Individual State Finals. Crissman would impress in the finals posting a 75 which landed him at 6th place and a spot in the PIAA Individual State Finals. In the state finals, Crissman finished 37th in the state.
After the WPIAL Individual Finals concluded, the Titans shifted back to team mode to compete in the WPIAL Semifinals. The Titans would need to finish in the top three on their side of the bracket to qualify for the finals. Sadly, the Titans finished one spot short which concluded their season.
“Unfortunately it was not our day in the semifinal. We did not play to our capabilities and that happens sometimes in sports,” Catanese said.
Regardless of the way the season ended, this Titan group was one of the best in school history and brought home the first ever section title.
“This team is one of the closest groups that I have ever been a part of. They are best friends with each other and that really carried us to a 25-4 record the past two seasons.” Catanese said.
