STATE COLLEGE — Scranton Prep had thoughts of becoming the first boys golf team to win three straight state titles.
Devon Prep, however, had other ideas.
The District 12 champion blistered the Penn State University Blue Course on Wednesday and had three golfers shoot sub-par rounds to win the Class 2A crown at the PIAA Team Championships.
Not only did Devon Prep deny Scranton Prep a three-peat, it finished with a team score of 8-under 280 to break the tournament record of 6-under 282 that the Cavaliers set last season.
Logan Turner shot a 4-under-par 68 to lead Devon Prep. Scott Cunningham followed with a 3-under 69 and Tommy Dineen had a 2-under 70. Gray Biberosch rounded out the scoring with a 1-over 73.
The Cavaliers were able to come away with silver with a team score of 7-over 295. Brendan Bell led the way with a 2-under 70 and Cole Powell, fresh off his second consecutive individual state title Tuesday, was next with a 1-under 71. It is the fifth runner-up finish for Scranton Prep — 2014 in Class 3A, 2017, 2018 and 2019 in Class 2A.
“We played solid golf and gave it a good shot,” Powell said. “It didn’t fall our way. Devon Prep outplayed us, which is fine. Moving forward, we learn lessons and stay positive and focused and determined to maybe get it back next year.”
Tunkhannock finished third in Class 2A girls with a score of 39-over 255. Oakland Catholic won with a 24-over 240 and West Middlesex was second with a 33-over 249.
Abington Heights also came away with a third-place finish in Class 3A girls. The Lady Comets had a team score of 32-over 248. Peters Twp. won at 12-over 228 and Conestoga was second at 17-over 233.
Meanwhile, the Abington Heights boys placed seventh in Class 3A with an 18-over 306. State College and La Salle College were in a playoff for the championship after tying at 8-under in regulation.
Starting his round on No. 10 of the Blue Course, Bell had birdies on Nos. 13, 16, 18 and 5 and a bogey on No. 14.
Powell also started on Blue No. 10 and had a birdie. He also birdied Nos. 18, 4 and 5 and bogeyed Nos. 16, 1 and 8.
“I got off to a good start, then played steady golf for most of the way back in,” Powell said. “Just couldn’t really get the putter working today, which was unfortunate. Still played a solid round finishing at 1-under. Wish I could have got the putter working a little more. Driver was solid all day, didn’t really miss too many fairways and gave myself good opportunities, good looks from the rough to get up-and-down and get a birdie. Wedges were a tiny bit off as well. That was mainly the big difference today.”
Bobby Stott shot 2-over 74 (38-36) and Jack Pavuk had an 8-over 80 (40-40) to complete Scranton Prep’s scoring. Also for the Cavaliers, Matthew Haggerty had a 9-over 81 (41-40).
Madison Walker led Tunkhannock girls with a 4-over 76 (35-41). Paige Spudis added an 87 (44-43) and Madelyn Bevan had a 92 (46-46) for the three-player Lady Tigers squad.
Walker had birdies on Nos. 1, 5 and 9; a bogey on No. 14; and double bogeys on Nos. 4, 17, 18. For her, it was a bit of redemption for two tough days during the individual tournament.
“Coming out here (Wednesday) was a lot better to be 4-over-par instead of how bad I did the past couple of days,” said Walker, who shot 187 (96-91) on Monday and Tuesday. “It was nice. And finishing third (in the team standings) means a lot. We worked hard as a team to get here.”
Liz George shot a 3-over 75 on the White Course with a birdie on No. 5, bogeys on Nos. 2 and 7 and a double bogey on No. 18 to lead Abington Heights girls. Margot Grad had an 86 (42-44) and Brianna Moffat an 87 (41-46) to complete the scoring. Also for the Lady Comets, Katie Arp had a 92 (42-50) and Molly Nietz had a 106 (54-52).
“I kept parring and had lots of good up-and-downs,” George said. “My putting was good today and my chipping was good. My putts kept falling for me and it gave me a lot of confidence. That’s what helped me the most.
“We came here happy we won districts. So to come in third, I think that’s a good accomplishment for us.”
Ryan Boyd led Abington Heights boys with a 2-over 74 on the White Course. “Colorful” is how he described his round as had birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15; bogeys on Nos. 1, 5, 16; a double bogey on No. 4; and a triple bogey on No. 14.
“It was an interesting one. I had some really great holes and some really bad holes, but I kept it together pretty well,” Boyd said.
“I don’t think we had our best today, but everybody gave it their all. I had a lot of fun out there, so I’m happy about that.”
Sebastian Meyer was next for the Comets with a 4-over 76 (37-39). William Yoo had a 5-over 77 (41-36) and Cole Severs added a 7-over 79 (39-40) to round out the scoring. Also, Connor O’Malley-Kalinoski had an 8-over 80 (40-40).