Valley Sports ReportSTATE COLLEGE — Freshman Lilah Carlson fired an 80, and Athens finished eighth Wednesday at the PIAA, Class AA Girls Golf team championships in its inaugural season here at the Penn State Blue Course.
Oakland Catholic won the state title with a three-player aggregate score of 240, while West Middlesex was second at 249, and Tunkhannock was third at 255. Athens tallied a 288.
"It was a great end to the season," said Athens golf coach Mason Lyon. "To start the season with the first girls golf team at Athens... and to see them go all the way to the State Championship was something special.
"There were definitely a lot of very talented golfers here from all over the state and our girls showed they deserved to be here," noted Lyon. "Finishing just one stoke away from the seventh place team was validation that our girls can compete with the best girls in the state."
Carlson, whose round of 80 was seventh-best individually on the day and six shots better than her best round the previous two days at the individual state championships, had seven pars on the front nine for a 2-over par 38. She had five pars on the back nine and a 42.
Junior Brooke Lyon carded a 98 (51-47) and junior Annie Davis had a 110 (54-56).
Lyon said the experience at States will benefit the program immensely.
"Being in Penn State over the course of four days for the practice rounds, individual championship, and team championship, we got the opportunity to meet other golfers, coaches, and parents from all across Pennsylvania," he said.
"There were several times people approached me to tell me about a pleasant interaction they had with one of our players or coaches," noted Lyon. "They would praise their ability and sportsmanship. It was awesome to see our team representing themselves and Athens in such a positive way.
"It was a great experience to go to the State Championships," added Lyon. "We left Penn State excited about the future for the Athens Girls Golf team."
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IN PHOTOS 1-4: Athens freshman Lilah Carlson. IN PHOTOS 5-8: Athens junior Brooke Lyon. IN PHOTO 9-12: Athens junior Annie Davis. ... PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING.
