Lyla Jones, North Pocono (SCOTT WALSH / STAFF PHOTO)
Arden Brunn, Holy Redeemer (SCOTT WALSH / STAFF PHOTO)
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Lyla Jones, North Pocono (SCOTT WALSH / STAFF PHOTO)
STATE COLLEGE — Seniors Lyla Jones of North Pocono and Arden Brunn from Holy Redeemer knew this was their final chance to win a state medal.
Both used strong finishes Tuesday to realize that goal.
Jones shot a 6-over-par 150 to place seven in Class 3A girls at the PIAA Golf Championships at the Penn State University Golf Courses.
“I was very prepared. This is what I came here to do,” Jones said. “This was probably the most focused I’ve been for a golf round. It was definitely fun. Hitting the ball just felt easy and smooth over the past two days.”
Brunn was ninth in Class 2A girls after carding a 12-over 156. The top 10 golfers plus ties earn state medals.
“This has always been my goal since I was a freshman,” Brunn said. “I’ve been here all four years, but this is the first year I actually got a medal. It’s awesome to finally get it done.”
Previously at states, Brunn finished 30th as a freshman, 26th as a sophomore and 15th as a junior. Jones was 33rd as a sophomore and tied for 24th as a junior.
Playing the Blue Course, Jones had a 4-over 76 in Monday’s first round. She opened the second round with a double bogey on No. 1. She had a birdie on No. 6, but gave it right back with a bogey on No. 7, then had another bogey on No. 12.
After that, however, she parred hole Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16, birdied the par-3 No. 17, then parred No. 18.
“I just kept telling myself to stay smooth, stay focused,” Jones said.
“This feels amazing. This was my goal and to do it my senior year means the world. And the amount of support I had — my family, my friends, my coach, my athletic director. It really means a lot.”
Meanwhile, Brunn played the White Course and had a 7-over 79 in Monday’s first round. She got off to a rough start Tuesday with bogeys on Nos. 1 and 3, then reeled off eight consecutive pars. She then double-bogeyed No. 12 and bogeyed No. 13, but closed with pars on the final five holes.
“It was a battle. I did not have my game today,” Brunn said. “But I stuck it out and just told myself that every shot matters. Just give it your all. It’s not over ’til it’s over.”
As for the other golfers from District 2, Ryan Roman of Dallas had six birdies and three bogeys Tuesday to shoot a 3-under 69 in the second round and finish tied for 19th with a 4-over 148. Ryan Boyd of Abington Heights (87-75) and Pittston Area’s Patrick Ruane (83-79) each shot 162 to tie for 62nd. Seamus Kelly from Abington Heights tied for 65th with 165 (87-78). Brady Gerrity of Wilkes-Barre Area was 69th with 167 (85-82).
Brianna Moffatt from Abington Heights tied for 30th with 170 (87-83).
In Class 2A boys, besides state champion Cole Powell and ninth-place Ben Boyanoski, Scranton Prep had Guy Rothery finish tied for 27th with 154 (79-75) and Jack Pavuk finish tied for 52nd with 162 (83-79). Aiden August from Wyoming Area tied for 34th with 156 (78-78) and Holy Redeemer’s Liam Gill tied for 37th with 157 (81-76).
Ally Legg from Montrose was 26th in Class 2A girls with 176 (89-87). Madison Walker of Tunkhannock was 28th with 179 (93-86).