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Davis finds way to win this time

Mirror photo by Michael Boytim From left: State College’s John Olsen, Hollidaysburg’s Eric Davis and Altoona’s Scotty Lawhead compete Thursday at Sinking Valley Country Club.

TYRONE — Hollidaysburg’s Eric Davis and State College’s John Olsen are pretty familiar with each other.

A year ago, Olsen tied Davis on the final hole of the District 6 Class 3A championship and then defeated him in a one-hole playoff with a long putt to become the champion.

Thursday at Sinking Valley Country Club in this year’s District 6 Class 3A sectionals, Olsen tied Davis again with an eagle on No. 1, the 17th hole the group played.

But this time, Davis rebounded by finding the green on the par-3 No. 2 with a solid tee shot and two-putted for par to finish with a 74. Olsen’s tee shot landed in a sand bunker, and he made bogey to end up with a 75.

Despite coming out on top of the sectional, Davis has much bigger goals.

“I didn’t think I had 100 percent of my game today,” Davis said. “It turned out OK. I feel pretty confident going into districts, and if I play my game, everything should turn out the way I want it to.”

It was no sure thing Olsen would even be playing Thursday with the chance to qualify for districts and defend his title at stake. State College only approved a return-to-non-contact sports plan last week.

“Our school made a last-minute decision to play,” Olsen said. “Our team was pretty excited to play and get this chance. We have a really good team this year, and everyone is pumped to play. There was a good chance that we weren’t going to play, so I was a little upset I might not get to defend my title. It felt great to be out here today. I’m pumped for districts.”

The Little Lions won the team title with a 318, and Hollidaysburg finished second with a 331 to also advance to districts. Altoona, which defeated the Golden Tigers twice in the regular season, finished third.

“The kids put a lot of work in this season,” Hollidaysburg coach Bryan James said. “We have the best group of kids. My assistant coach has been a huge help, and everyone has bought into the program. We have just tried to make the most of our opportunities.”

James credited senior leadership for the turnaround against Altoona.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Camden Auman (who carded an 85), because he’s a senior who has worked the whole time and not always had the results but today it pieced together pretty nicely for him,” James said. “I’m proud of him.”

The top 10 individuals advanced to Tuesday’s District 6 Class 3A championship at Scotch Valley Country Club. In addition to Olsen, four other State College golfers qualified.

Altoona’s Scotty Lawhead made the cut by shooting a 79 and finishing tied for fourth.

“I had some ups and downs, but it was an improvement from last year when I got cut,” Lawhead said. “I feel pretty good about moving on. I’m going to go in with a good attitude and leave with no regrets. I want to do the best I can.”

RESULTS

TEAM (Top two advance): 1, State College (SC) 318 (Olsen 74, Janac 80, McCaughey 81, Wager 82); 2, Hollidaysburg (H) 331 (Davis 74, Eberhart 84, Auman 85, Clapper 88); 3, Altoona (A) 340 (Lawhead 79, Lucas 84, Meyers 87, Geisler 90); 4, Central Mountain (CM) 350; 5, Bellefonte (B) 354; 6, Mifflin County (MC) 366.

INDIVIDUALS (Top 10 advance): 1, Davis, H, 74; 2, Olsen, SC, 75; 3, Floruss, CM, 76; T-4, Lawhead, A, 79; T-4, Wise, MC, 79; 6, Janac, SC, 80; 7, McCaughey, SC, 81; T-8, Wager, SC, 82; T-8, Hay, SC, 82; T-8, Bloom, B, 82.

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