DISTRICT 4 BOYS GOLF: ATHENS' HICKS PUNCHES TICKET TO STATE WITH SECOND-PLACE FINISH AT CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIPS; ATHENS' OWEN POST BEST ROUND ON DAY 2, FINISHES THIRD (14 PHOTOS) (2025-10-11)

Valley Sports Report
WILLIAMSPORT — Athens junior Eli Hicks finished second at the District 4, Class AAA Boys Golf Championships, while sophomore Ty Owen posted the best round of the day to move up the leaderboard to third place here at the Williamsport Country Club.

Hicks, who led after Day 1's round of 74, shot a 78 on the par-71 course for a two-day total of 152, with Jersey Shore's Carter Girton finishing one stroke ahead after shooting rounds of 75 and 76 for a 151.

Owen, who was tied for fourth after a Day 1 round of 82, carded a 75 Saturday for a two-day total of 157. Selinsgrove's MacDefazio (81-80) placed fourth with a 161.

Hicks shot a 40 on the front nine, including a double-bogey and two bogeys, and a 38 on the back nine, with three straight bogeys on holes 12 through 14.

"Eli put a lot of work in this last year, and through the season to get back to States," said Athens coach Shane Saxon. "The last two rounds he struck the ball very well and played some of the best golf he's played all year. 

"He is peaking at the right time of the year and our goal for him right from the beginning was to make sure he was playing his best golf at this time of the year and for him to make it back to States.

"He achieved that goal for the second year in a row," added Saxon. "I’m very proud of the way he stayed composed today, that is a lot of pressure on these kids."

Owen started his day with a birdie on the first hole, and also had a birdie on the sixth hole on his way to a 2-over par 38 on the front nine.

On the back, Owen birdied the 10th hole, and finished the round with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. He also had a double-bogey and three bogeys for a 2-over par 37.

"I am very proud of Ty today, he shot the low round of the day in the AAA group, and shot 15 strokes better this year than last," said Saxon. "That’s a huge improvement from last year. 

"This kid has the ability to go low and he is big part of our team success this year," he added. "I can’t wait to see what he brings next year already."

Juniors Lucas Grenninger and Peter Bertsch, and freshman Jacob Saxon played Thursday, but did not make the cut to play Saturday.

Saxon believes the Wildcats will be a threat to return to the top of the NTL in 2026.

"As a whole, I’m pretty happy our team," he said. "Like I said earlier in the year, we are kind of young, especially on experience. 

"We return everyone next year," added Saxon. "I think we give the rest of the league fits and we should be tough to deal with."

GIRLS CLASS AA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Athens sophomore Brooke Lyon finished seventh in the Class AA girls championships with a two-day total of 253 (116-137).

"Brooke, well she just had a rough one today," said Saxon. "I’m so proud of her though for pushing through.

"She has had a rough couple weeks with her game, but she doesn’t quit and just keeps working to try and figure it out," he added.

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