BG, Hollidaysburg high school golf teams return key parts of state finalists
2026 H.S. golf preview
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Bishop Guilfoyle Academy is coming off its most successful high school golf season in school history -- capturing a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference title, a District 6 Class 2A championship, winning in the PIAA regional round and qualifying for the state championship tournament.
The Marauders have a new coach -- Robby Okonak -- but they return the key golfers that contributed to all of those accolades.
Grant Okonak, Troy Nachtman, Carter Boland and Aidan Sheehan, all seniors, will be back for BG. Nachtman is a returning Altoona Mirror first-teamer, and Boland was on the second team.
Two other first-team Mirror all stars return on the boys side.
Central's Cody Clapper and Hollidaysburg's Tyler Steiner -- who was the co-champion at last year's Wheeling Invitational at Sunnehanna Country Club -- were also first teamers as juniors.
On the girls side, Crosby Denis will be trying to become a four-time Mirror first-team all star this season. She won the Frank Kiraly Award as the top golfer in the Mirror's coverage area as a junior and finished fifth in the state in the PIAA Class 3A individual championships.
She also helped Hollidaysburg win a District 6 title and win the PIAA regional at Treasure Lake in DuBois to clinch a spot in the team championships at Penn State.
The following is a capsulized look at the teams in the Mirror's core coverage area.
Altoona
Coach: Chuck Meyers, third year
Career record: 11-6
Last year's record: 3-3
Conference: Independent
Returning starters: Seniors--Reese Hite, Justin Pfeffer. Sophomore--Brandt Hite
Other returning players: Seniors--Cole Civiello, Devin McNellis, Wyatt Coon. Junior--Anthony Riccio
Newcomers: Sophomore--Ryan Aiken. Freshmen--Lucas Muccitelli, Max Kessinger, Dylan Anders, Colton Meloy
Strengths: "Youth and an influx of new players. We had two sophomores (Ryan Aiken and Brandt Hite) and two juniors (Owen White and Anthony Riccio) qualify into the top 4. Then mix in the talented senior, Reese Hite, along with other underclassmen who can play, we have a very well balanced team this year and going forward."
Concerns: "Lack of tournament golf experience. We are fostering a culture of constant competition within the team by qualifying throughout the season for competing positions."
Overall outlook: "Looking forward to seeing how all the new players compete and watching the veterans setting a good example and getting to the top of their games."
Assistant coaches: Brandon Lingenfelter, Doug Meyers, Nate Hockenos
Bellwood-Antis
Coach: Dan Solomon, third year
Career record: 8-44
Last year's record: 4-18
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Chance Hawk. Juniors--Maddox McCall, Avery Bardell, Tate Baughman, Killian Worthing. Sophomore--Tucker McCloskey
Newcomers: Senior--Hayden Mountz. Juniors--Quinn Leeper, Joey Deyarmin. Sophomore--Roark Peterman. Freshmen--Cooper Miller, Ty Rishel, Connor Gray
Other returning players: Senior--Colin McClellan. Junior--Dean Hoffer. Sophomore--Cam Imler
Strengths: "Multiple players capable of breaking 80 and should average low to mid 80s."
Concerns: "Consistency."
Overall outlook: "I think that we are a very solid golf team, and our record may not reflect how good we are because of the strength of our LHAC section opponents."
Assistant coach: Jeff Ciambotti
Bishop Carroll
Coach: Tim Holtz, sixth year
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Ethan Holtz, Matt Zernick. Sophomore--Ryen Myers
Other roster members: Juniors--Winston Hall-Campbell, Pat Phillips, Connor Isaacson, Nate Carney. Sophomores--Lucas Becquet, Mason Buynack. Freshman--Adrian Peterman
Strengths: "We're looking forward to a competitive season this fall. Our boys team will be led by a group of players who have been working on their game all summer. Will be fun to watch how far they have come and continue to get better. Definitely seeing overall scores drop from last season to this season."
Concerns: "Playing the tougher courses we see, especially for the players that are not used to playing different courses under different conditions."
Overall outlook: "I want to see a few of our starters for the boys make a nice run to districts, play well and for our seniors to end their high school careers in a positive way. They are a great group of kids and as their coach, I like to see how they work to make each other better and have fun doing so."
Bishop Guilfoyle
Coach: Robby Okonak, first year
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Grant Okonak, Troy Nachtman, Carter Boland, Aidan Sheehan.
Other roster members: Senior--Joey Lehman. Juniors--Dom Ianuzzi, Xavier Rhodes, Michael Condrin. Sophomore--Callen McClellan, Andrew Link. Freshman--Makenna Miller
Strengths: "Competitiveness, length (how far the kids hit the ball), shot making."
Concerns: "Complacency, reliance on the driver, course management."
Overall outlook: "We have a highly competitive, skilled and successful group that works very hard on their games. They had a lot of success last year winning multiple championships and competing in the state tournament. We are excited to add sophomore Callen McClellan to the mix and hope to build on the success of last season."
Assistant coaches: Rick Tangeman, Patrick Miller, Mark Moschella
Central
Coach: Robbie Keith, 19th year
Last year's record: 22-13, 20-12 in LHAC
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Cody Clapper, Ben Hartman, Brock Beach. Junior--Tristan Ritchey. Sophomore--Rory Martin
Other returning players: Seniors--Cameron Yingling, Kyle Gach. Junior--Brody Weyant
Newcomers: Sophomores--Greyson Dick, Colby Gojmerac, Cameron Heck. Freshmen--Kasen Keith, Connor Weyant, Mason McGarvey, Caleb Swindell
Strengths: "Our returning starters all lived at the golf course this summer and played a good bit of competitive golf."
Concerns: "I have no major concerns, and I hope it stays that way through the season."
Overall outlook: "We have the ability to be a pretty good team this season as long as we are patient and play the golf we are capable of playing. I believe in them, and if they can believe in themselves, this could be a successful season."
Assistant coach: Joe Logan
Central Cambria
Coach: Jaylee Sikora, third year
Career record: 55-7
Last year's record: 24-3, 22-3 in LHAC
Returning starter: Junior--Andrew Kasecky
Other roster members: Juniors--Maison Link, Ben Bearer. Sophomores--Cannon Forcellini
Strengths: "Our team's biggest strength is the combination of youth and experience. The boys have a young roster with a lot of potential, giving us an exciting opportunity to develop and improve throughout the season."
Concerns: "With a young boys' roster, gaining experience and consistency will be an important focus throughout the season. We will continue to work on developing our players' skills, building confidence, and improving as a team."
Overall outlook: "We look forward to seeing our young players continue to develop while our returning starters provide leadership and experience. Our goal is to continue improving throughout the season, compete at a high level, and create a positive team environment where everyone can grow and enjoy the game."
Claysburg-Kimmel
Coach: Mike Harris, second year
Career record: 2-6
Last year's record: 2-6
Returning starters: Seniors--P.J. Lewis, Cole Walter. Junior--Garrett Bass
Newcomers: Juniors--Ethan Brown, Ayden Soler, Blake Claar, Nathan Cox. Freshmen--Owen Swindell, Dominick McCready, Quinten Knott
Strengths: "We have three solid returners, and they are all very dedicated and hard-working. All players have great attitudes and are eager to improve every day."
Concerns: "We do not have a lot of match experience. We have lots of golfers who are new to the game."
Overall outlook: "We plan to gain experience every time we are on the course and just keep getting better. Golf is a life-long game, and we want to instill that in our golfers."
Assistant coach: Alex Kulick
Hollidaysburg
Coach: Bryan James, 16th year
Career record: 232-65-5
Last year's record: 21-5
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Landen Petrunak, Tyler Steiner, Isaac Tryninewski. Juniors--Mason Bender, Braden Hatch, Dominik Johnston, Sam McLanahan
Other returning players: Senior--Jackson Breene. Junior--Beau Rabel
Newcomers: Juniors--Camden Creamer, Carter Hartman. Freshman--Ian Landrin
Strengths: "We have a lot of players that have been here for a while now. They love the game of golf and have developed expectations in regards to personal and team success."
Concerns: "Maintaining momentum during adversity."
Overall outlook: "This is a quality team with guys that have put the time in to improve over the offseason. We are excited to coach this team; they should find a decent amount of success over the next couple of months."
Assistant coach: Steve Genter
Penn Cambria
Coach: Mark Mardula, third year
Career record: 17-15
Last year's record: 10-5
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Colton Karlheim. Juniors--Kingston Durbin, Luke Michina, Callen Gides
Other roster members: Seniors--Madden Farabaugh, Brayden Foreman, Joseph Hanlon, Kaden Hartline, Nate McCloskey, Bryce Mento, Vance Plazek, Hunter Pyo, Frank Wallis. Juniors--Garrett Ligas, Elijah Weakland. Sophomores--Mike Feathers, Rocco Gaida, Zach Krug, Jordan Moschgat, Parker Mullen. Freshmen--Brock Beers, Hunter Hanlon, Bryson Long, Jacob Strittmatter
Strengths: "Leadership and depth. We have a lot of returning boys and girls that started last year and have made huge improvements to their game over the offseason. We are really excited to compete this year."
Concerns: "A challenge we might run into is finding the right rotation of guys. We have a lot of juniors and seniors on the roster that are capable of competing at a high level."
Assistant coaches: Jim Ronan, Alex Cherico
Portage
Coach: Scott Burda, 10th year
Career record: 67-54
Last year's record: 3-11, 1-8 in Heritage
Conference: Heritage Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Kendall Bednarski, Aden Gabel, Aiden Pauley, Nathan Phillips. Sophomore--Jaden Minick
Newcomers: Seniors--Brayden Ciokota, D'mitrius Krumenacker. Sophomore--Reese Pinizzotto. Freshman--Josh Rosemas
Strengths: "A group of quality student athletes that enjoy being on the golf course."
Concerns: "Match experience and consistency."
Overall outlook: "This season we will again have several new starters in the lineup. We are hoping that as the season progresses, our new starters will gain experience and our team scores will continue to improve."
Assistant coach: Jeff Vasilko
Tyrone
Coach: Doug Sweitzer, first year
Career record: 0-0
Last year's record: 11-12
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--William Lower. Sophomore--Blake Sweitzer
Other returning players: Senior--Ethan Reffner. Juniors--Teagan Harpster, David VanAllman. Sophomore--Cole Smith
Newcomers: Freshmen--Chase Golden, Ty Kelly, Jayden Savino, Jackson Taylor, Nathan Weiger, Alex Wilson
Strengths: "Very athletic group with potential."
Concerns: "Depth, lack of experience. We only have three returning players with match experience."
Overall outlook: "We're in a tough section of the Laurel Highlands. If some of the young guys step up, maybe we can surprise some people. We're looking forward to competing and gaining valuable experience."
Assistant coach: Steve Miksich
GIRLS
Altoona
Coach: Joel Gilbert, sixth year
Career record: 26-27
Last year's record: 8-6
Conference: Independent
Returning starters: Seniors--Vionna Jackson, Taylor Knepper, Ryan Lantzy. Juniors--Natalie Baker, Karis McGhee, Averi Wilkinson. Sophomore--Kennedy Bankert
Newcomers: Senior--Josephine Irwin. Juniors--Isabella Benjamin, Emma Hovan
Strengths: "Good numbers and experience. Great leadership."
Concerns: "Dedication and a need to get better on a daily basis."
Overall outlook: "We are looking forward to seeing how this season works out. With Ellie Filer moving on to college, there will be a lot of the girls on the team that will be competing for the top three spots."
Assistant coaches: Tom Fox, Mike Wilkinson
Bellwood-Antis
Coach: Dan Solomon, first year with girls
Career record: 0-0
Last year's record: None
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning player: Senior--Lindsay McKinnon
Newcomers: Freshmen--Azilee Solomon, McKenzie Lynn
Strengths: "Continued interest in getting better."
Concerns: "Everyone on the team has less than two years of golfing experience."
Overall outlook: "It will be a learning experience, and the hope is to instill fundamentals for further growth."
Assistant coach: Jeff Ciambotti
Bishop Carroll
Coach: Tim Holtz, sixth year
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Sophomores--Katie Bradley, Laylah Weiland
Other roster members: Sophomore--Olivia Mackovyak. Freshman--Ava Columbus-Sloan
Strengths: "Our girls squad is young to the game but strives to work hard continuing to get as much course/range time as possible to develop their swing."
Concerns: "Playing the tougher courses we see, especially for the players that are not used to playing different courses under different conditions."
Overall outlook: "I'm hopeful a couple of our girls will compete and play well at districts continuing to get better every step of the way."
Hollidaysburg
Coach: Jill Hileman, sixth year
Career record: 58-8-1
Last year's record: 17-1
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Crosby Denis. Juniors--Maliah Malausky, Arie Kerstetter, Piper Weidley. Sophomore--Reagan Bihary
Other returning players: Camilla Yost, Jillian Beard
Newcomers: Alayna Mitchell, Leah Hammel
Strengths: "We have five returning starters who were important contributors to our team's overall success last year. The girls have put time in over the summer and are ready to compete in our conference, district and state level."
Concerns: "Overall, we have a solid core of returning players, and our main concern is to establish consistency in our scores beyond our top players."
Overall outlook: "Our returning players will be strong contributors in all our matches. Our main goal is to repeat as district champions and compete for a state championship."
Assistant coach: Mitch Johns
Penn Cambria
Coach: Mark Mardula, third year
Career record: 16-12
Last year's record: 9-5
Returning starters: Senior--Celia Barnish. Juniors--Mikayla Durbin, Kendall McConnell, Ava Wirfel
Other roster members: Senior--Isabelle Weisinger. Sophomores--Camryn Rardin, Kailyn Thomas
Strengths: "Leadership and depth. We have a lot of returning boys and girls that started last year and have made huge improvements to their game over the offseason. We are really excited to compete this year."
Assistant coaches: Jim Ronan, Alex Cherico