EXETER – There’s optimism for the Wyoming Area golf team after a fifth-place finish overall in the team standings at last week’s Tryba Invitational, and being the third amongst teams in Class 3A just finishing behind powerful Dallas and Crestwood.
The Warriors’ score of 345 was thanks to their lowest scorer of the afternoon at Fox Hill Country Club, Nik Athmann, who carded 80 and Ryan Wrubel’s 83.
Athmann improved by six strokes from last year’s tournament and by five from last year’s pre-district event held at Fox Hill. Wrubel, meanwhile, improved by three shots from the 2015 pre-district event.
“They had a full summer and they played during the summer a lot,” Wyoming Area coach Gordon Williams said in regards to the duo’s improvement. “There’s the maturity too, they’re both seniors now.”
Freshman Cole Coolbaugh shot 89 at the tourney, while junior Jimmy Kosco was the team’s fourth scorer with a 93. Two years ago Kosco played his freshman season wearing a boot while healing a broken foot. Now, he’s helping the Warriors even more.
Pittston Area didn’t fare as well as its rival taking 12th out of the 14 teams that scored. But there were many positives.
Allie Craig, who co-led the team with Joe Carchilla carding an 89, improved on two strokes from her showing at last year’s pre-district tournament. Craig also was the team’s low scorer at the Tryba last year.
Carchilla’s score was much better from his score at last year’s Tryba when he didn’t even break 100.
Brendan Seaman (92) and Nick Scavo (103) rounded out the Patriots’ scores at the event.
While Craig led the Patriots, the Warriors graduated their only female golfer last year. This marks the first year in Williams’ seven years as coach that he does not have a girl on the team.
“It’s going to be a different year that I don’t have a girl competing, but just on the individual side,” he said. “The typical girl that’s good at golf is also good at field hockey…”
Warriors outlast Patriots
At Fox Hill on Wednesday, Wyoming Area’s Nik Athmann took medalist honors with a 3-over 38 to lead the Warriors past rival Pittston Area.
Wyoming Area took down the Patriots, 166-179. Jimmy Kosco finished second with a 41, while Chase Yochum and Ryan Wrubel finished out the scoring for the winners.
For Pittston Area, Allie Craig and Brandon Seamon each shot 44. Matt Havrill shot 45, while Joe Carchill shot a 46.
Crestwood 158, Pittston Area 195
Pittston Area’s Allie Craig shot a team-leading 46 at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Course in a loss to Crestwood. Brandon Seaman shot a 48, while Dylan Burwell fired a 49.
Coughlin 170, Pittston Area 185
Allie Craig shot a 44 to lead Pittston Area as Coughlin’s Ryan Keyes shot a 30 to lead the Crusaders at Wilkes-Barre Municipal Golf Course.
Dylan Burwell, Brandon Seaman and Matt Havrilla each shot 47 to round out the scoring for Pittston Area.
Tunkhannock 169, Wyoming Area 188
At Shadowbrook Golf Course, Wyoming Area’s Nik Athmann and Ryan Wrubel each shot 44 to lead the Warriors. Cole Coolbaugh (51) and Chase Yochem (50) rounded out the scoring.
Up next
On Monday, Pittston Area will face off against Tunkhannock at Shadowbrook, while Wyoming Area will host Coughlin at Fox Hill.
