By TIM TAYLORValley Sports Report
WILLIAMSPORT — Athens’ Lilah Carlson garnered a silver medal at the PIAA District 4 Girls Class AA Golf Championships held at the Williamsport Country Club here Saturday.
The freshman posted a second round score of 91, giving her a two-day total of 179 and a trip to the state championships later this month.
“It feels great,” she said of her runner-up showing. “I put a lot of work into it.”
“Lilah showed great focus and maturity on the course,” said coach Mason Lyon. “As a freshman, she didn't let the pressure of the day phase her or affect her decision making. She trusted the hard work that she put into preparing for today, and she executed her shots just like she has practiced.”
Carlson birdied the par-5 18th hole to end her first district tournament on a high note. She started the day with pars in the fifth, sixth and eighth holes, then added another par on No. 12.
Wildcat teammate Brooke Lyon made the first-day cut at White Deer and joined Carlson on day two. The junior birdied the par-5 second hole and par-3 third. She would add pars on No. 5 and No. 14, and finished the round with a 94, giving her a two-day total of 191 and fifth place.
“It was really exciting to watch Brooke string several good holes together, with two consecutive birdies and several pars,” coach Lyon said. “As a coach it was great to see her focus and determination to play aggressively in order to gain some strokes.”
Jersey Shore’s Kylie Schall grabbed the medalist honor with a 173 total that included a 92 on Day 2.
The third state qualifier was Loyalsock’s Mercedes Allison, who had the Day 2 low round of 89 and a 180 total.
The individual state championships will be held on the Penn State Blue Course Oct. 19-20.
Carlson is looking forward to the state experience, but isn’t looking to put a lot of pressure on herself.
“For my first year, my goal is just to have fun and try my best,” she said.
“The competition was tough, they are all talented golfers at this level,” coach Lyon said. “I'm proud of how the girls played and represented themselves today.”
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
