First Posted: 8/14/2014
The Wyoming Area golf lineup could go through some changes throughout the 2014 season.
“I plan to have a revolving door at five and six,” Warriors coach Gordon Williams said of the last two spots in the six-player lineup.
Williams goes into the season with the potential for a lot of flexibility.
Wyoming Area returns six players who made regular appearances in the lineup and two others who started at times when the Warriors went 9-3 to finish second in Division 3 of the Wyoming Valley Conference behind Class AA state champion Holy Redeemer.
The Warriors also got a boost when senior Jeremy Zezza, formerly a member of the football program, joined the team. Zezza showed he is ready to make a contribution by putting up the team’s best score on the opening day of practice at Fox Hill Country Club.
Wyoming Area moved up from Class AA to the Class AAA in the new two-year Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association enrollment cycle, meaning it also moved up in division to play other Class AAA teams in the WVC.
“It could be tougher except for not having Holy Redeemer in the division any more,” Williams said. “Typically, the bigger schools have stronger teams.
“But, we’re looking for a big year. We have some kids with potential.”
Junior Madeline Wharton is back after finishing second this summer in the Anthracite Golf Association Junior Tour Division I girls Tournament of Champions. Wharton took sixth in the District 2 Class AA girls tournament last season.
Senior Mike Kolessar, juniors Anthony Shaver, William Peck and Gavin Kross and sophomore Ryan Wruble also return. Senior Brian Berti and sophomore Alex Gushka have some starting experience.
Others are trying to break into the lineup. In addition to Zezza, junior Carter Kusakavitch, a team member last year, and sophomore Nicholas Athman, a newcomer, got off to impressive starts at practice.
The change to Class AAA means Wyoming Area will play Pittston Area twice this season – Thursday, Aug. 21 and again Sept. 15.
The Warriors join the other WVC teams for the Tryba Tournament at Fox Hill Monday, then open the league schedule Tuesday against Dallas at Irem Temple Country Club.
