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USC, Lebo look to future in boys golf

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 3 min read
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Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon shot their worst scores of the golf season at the wrong time. As a result, neither advanced to the WPIAL team championships.

In a semifinal match at River Forest Golf Course in Freeport, the Panthers carded 413 while Mt. Lebanon submitted a 416 score to finish sixth and seventh overall, respectively.

“You have to play your best when all the sections come together,” said Lebo coach Al D’Alo.

The top three teams advanced to the finals played Oct. 15 at Cedarbrook Country Club. Shady Side Academy won the semifinal event with a 381 while Fox Chapel finished with a 388 and Norwin followed with a 396.

D’Alo and USC coach Todd Flynn both said they were “disappointed” with the result and felt badly for their seniors.

USC had three seniors in its starting line-up.

Scott Jordan led the way for the Panthers with a 73, while Jack Urban finished with an 80 and Alex Jones shot an 86.

USC underclassmen Ethan Rocks, P.J. Tanner and Kyle Kerber posted scores of 88, 86 and 90, respectively.

“Our seniors have provided great leadership and mentored the young ones well,” Flynn said. “The younger kids will have another chance at it but when you looked in the eyes of our seniors, you could see how sad they were.”

Jordan and Urban, however, have one match remaining. Both have qualified for the PIAA championships set for Oct. 20 at Heritage Hills Country Club in York.

“Scott and Jack have another opportunity,” Flynn said. “We have high hopes for both of them. We feel if they play up to their abilities, they have a shot to win.”

Mt. Lebanon seniors Colin Barrett and Brian Wilke both shot 86s in the semifinals to round out their high school careers.

The duo helped Lebo go undefeated during the regular season. The Blue Devils captured a section title with an 11-0 record.

In the semifinals, however, Lebo fell 20 strokes short of qualifying for the final spot needed to advance to the team finals. D’Alo said his players “all agreed they were capable of playing much better” than their 416 score.

Zach Dyke shot a 79 on the par 71, 6,153-yard course to lead the Blue Devils, while Josh Shellenberger followed with an 81.

Dyke is one of five Mt. Lebanon juniors, including brothers Josh and Jackson Shellenberger, Nico Renton and Hollis Whalen. Callan Wilcox is a sophomore.

With six of eight players returning, Lebo’s future is bright.

“The boys had a lot of fun this year and our program should be just as strong next season,” D’Alo said.

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