“It was a perfect ending to a great season.”
That’s how Bradford High girls’ golf coach Judy Abbey summed up her team’s performance at the District 9-5 Class AAA championship at Punxsutawney Country Club on Monday.
Bradford’s Elyse Godding captured the individual title and the Lady Owls won the overall team crown.
It was the fifth straight individual district title for Bradford and the second consecutive team title (third in last four years).
Godding shot a score of 96, winning by four strokes over teammate Kate Huber, who shot 100.
“For Godding, a freshman, winning the District 9-5 title is a great accomplishment,” Abbey said. “Elyse had an amazing season. She was medalist in the first match. Kate Huber took over for a couple in a row and then Elyse was medalist the rest of the season. It was good to see her finish strong going into districts.
“I never had a freshman qualify for regionals – so that is pretty impressive. I can’t say enough about Elyse’s dedication and the willingness to work on her game. She put a lot of time in this summer and it continued all the way through the season. It worked out great for her in winning the district title.”
Kiersten Pierce of DuBois was third (105). Abbey Zickefoose of Bradford was fourth (108) and Kacey Marsh of DuBois fifth (139).
In the team event, the Lady Owls tallied 420 first-place points in the two-school event. DuBois had 475 points. Bradford’s fourth golfer was Bri Wells, who shot a score of 116.
“Kate, a freshman, did very well (Monday),” Abbey stated. “She started out with a score of 46 coming off the front nine. She ran into some difficulty in the late holes. She worked hard on her game this summer. She helped us win the team championship. I’m very proud of her. Her future is just as bright as Elyse’s.”
Commenting on Zickefoose’s season, the coach said, “Abbey, only a junior, came on really strong at the end of the season. I would put her as one of my most improved golfers of the season. She was always right there every match. We could always count on her for second or third every match.”
Added Abbey, “Bri Wells, a senior, was the District 9 individual champion last season. She has never lost a match in her career. Three of her four years she has been on a district team champion. She is an amazing athlete.”
In District 9 Class AA, Morgan Vanleer of Punxsutawney shot a score of 90 to earn a district title. She turned back the challenge of Haley Oknefski of Kane, who shot 91.
Punxsutawney won the team title with a score of 442. A-C Valley was second (445) followed by Cameron County (447), Kane (461), Clearfield (524) and Coudersport (544).
The top three AA (Vanleer, Oknefski, Kennedy DeMatties of Moniteau) and top AAA (Godding) golfer will advance to the individual Western Regional to be held at Tom’s Run Golf Course on Oct. 17.
Class AA
Individual Results
Morgan Vanleer (Punxsy) 90, Haley Oknefski (Kane) 91, Kennedy DeMatties (Moniteau) 98, Allie Sherman (A-C Valley) 99, Erin Paulson (Kane) 101, Kristina DeMatties (Moniteau) 104, Cortney Claypool (Moniteau) 105, Ellie Thompson (A-C Valley) 107, Aleya Shaffer (Punxsy) 110, Nicole Belkowski (Clearfield) 112, Stephanie Fry (Coudersport) 114, Hannah Hoover (Curwensville) 116, Tess Dubler (Cameron County) 118, Katlyn Cappetta (Brockway) 119, Alyvia McKimm (Cameron County) 120, Alexis Zeigler (Cranberry) 120, Mary Kate Elenchin (Coudersport) 121, Dani Francisko (Curwensville) 122, Sarah Wagner (Forest Area) 123, Erin Hultman (Brockway) 128, Autumn Haney (Smethport) 134, Jena Soult (Clearfield) 136, Bailey Ganoe (Brookville) 140, Kyleigh Craddock (Clarion) 147, Claire Warner (Keystone) 151, Laney Gilmore (Ridgway) 153, Taylor Hoffman (Keystone) 153, Jenna Grant (Brookville) 165
Class AAA
Individual Results
Elyse Godding (Bradford) 96, Kate Huber (Bradford) 100, Kiersten Pierce (DuBois) 105, Abbey Zickefoose (Bradford) 108, Kacey Marsh (DuBois) 139
